Argumentative Essay on Key Reasons Teenagers Should not Vape

Introduction

Vaping may be described as the action of inhaling vapor via an electronic cigarette or other personalized vaporizers. These devices are manufactured in different designs and shapes. Nonetheless, all the distinctions are on the same page; a heating component at the one end of the device which aerosolizes a liquid nicotine substance producing a vapor that is inhaled via a mouthpiece (Arnold A256). Vaping has quickly become a normal routine among teenagers, and according to some medical practitioners, e-cigarettes can help some of its users to abandon the smoking habit by reducing the amount of chemical used and the frequency of smoking normal cigarettes. Reports from the Tobacco Vapor Electronic Cigarette Association, over four million individuals in America, are active users of e-cigarettes (Samadi 7). Among this population, the Center for Disease Control affirms that about 1.8 million are teenagers and young adults. Studies in 2014 showed that about 160,000 students who are between the 6th and 12th grades and aged between 12 to 18 years. Chemicals used in vapers lead to severe impacts that teenagers should evade by abstaining themselves from vaping.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Harmful Effects of Vaping: Why Teenagers Should Shun Vaping

One of the key reasons why teenagers should shun vaping is the harmful effects associated with this form of smoking. Although it has not been rigorously researched yet to make informed decisions on the long-term consequences of vaping, few studies have affirmed that the chemicals that are used in vapes are not entirely harmless to the users or the non-smokers around them (Arnold A246). Nonetheless, there are various effects have been identified by doctors linked to vaping. Vaping has been found to irritate the ears, eyes, and throat. This has been a common problem identified among the frequent users of vapes. Nicotine that is used in vapes is highly addictive. Practitioners argue that regardless of the means of ingesting nicotine in the body, it is still addictive. The Juul products have been found to contain about 5% of nicotine (Scituate FACTS Coalition 3). Practitioners argue that the earlier teenagers start using products that have significant levels of nicotine, the stringer their addiction becomes (Arnold A246). Furthermore, the harder it becomes for them to stop using such products. The American Academy of Pediatrics has conducted surveys on the same issue and came to the similar conclusion that only about 4% of teenagers who have attempted to stop the use of products containing nicotine have successfully been able to achieve to leave them (Scituate FACTS Coalition 3). Therefore, this shows that those who engage in vaping activities which comprised of 96% are likely to be unable to stop its addiction easily. Additionally, when one starts using vapes at an early stage, it is usually linked to acts of cigarette smoking (Luna, p. 3). This implies that it is fairly common to find teenagers who started by using vapes are now the cigarettes smokers.

Lung damage is another harmful effect caused by vaping not only to its smokers but also to its second-hand smokers. The chemicals used in vapes enters the lungs, leaving a residue behind. Moreover, such residue may include glycerin, nicotine, and propylene among other harmful toxins (Scituate FACTS Coalition 3). According to recent studies, some of these chemicals have been found to be the leading cause of diseases such as cancer. Furthermore, the flavors that are used also have toxins and other chemicals that cause degrading effects on the lungs. Therefore, the more one uses vapes with these flavors, the more they cause lung damage to themselves. Consequently, lung damage, in turn, causes various problems in human life. For instance, with damaged lungs, it is very difficult to engage in sporting activities due to the interference with breathing. Therefore, if an individual had a promising career in sporting activities and unfortunately started vaping, his dreams may eventually shatter before he has attained his goals.

Popcorn lung is a health condition that results from the prolonged inhalation of flavored chemicals (Scituate FACTS Coalition 3). It is an incurable medical condition. The chemicals that result in this condition have been found in most of the e-juice products and traditional cigarettes. Vaping also increases the likelihood of one starting to use other harmful products. The vaping devices have been designed in a way that is compatible with other substances such as marijuana THC liquids and cocaine (Mash 23). This makes it easier for teenagers to be drawn to use the hard drugs and it conceals this from the public. Teenagers might be hiding behind vaping while in reality, they abuse the hard drugs which have drastic health impacts. As mentioned earlier the use of nicotine increases the chance that one might suffer from substance abuse later in life (Scituate FACTS Coalition 4). A 2016 report by surgeons regarding e-cigarette usage among adolescents, it concluded that the nicotine in the vaping substance has the potential to cause harmful effects to the brain. This can result in the alteration of brain development as well as affect the performance of the nerve cells. On another report on public health on the implications of using e-cigarettes, it implied that due to the presence of variety in the market, consumers are often unable to determine the harms that are posed by different products.

Vaping and its Link to Illegal Activities: The Dangers for Teenagers

Another primary reason for teenagers to stop vaping is the engagement in illegal activities. The use of vapers can result in the users opting to start abusing other drugs in their body. These drugs may include marijuana and other hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin. A significant number of teenagers smoking e-cigarettes have been found to be using marijuana in secrecy (Williams 15). When one starts abusing such drugs, it is easy to be involved in illegal activities such as minor theft cases and violence. Usually, the motive behind the involvement in such activities is to procure the funds to acquire more of the drugs. The consequences of illegal activities are somewhat obvious. When one is apprehended by the authorities, they most likely end up in jail or juvenile detentions depending on the magnitude of the crimes committed.

Studies have linked 80 percent of the offenses committed by people in the U.S. such as domestic violence, reckless driving, and property offenses to the use of drugs and alcohol (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence 2). The apprehended teenagers have much to lose. One is the chance to receive a good education which is essential for living a good life. Even after release from the correctional facility after a certain period, most of the teenagers find it difficult to be involved in learning activities. Most of them start performing poorly while others completely quit school and return to illegal activities which put them back into the system. Statistics show that about 50% of the offenders in jails or prisons are clinically addicted to some drug or other substances such as those found in vapers (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence 3). When a teenager is apprehended and locked up for a significant among of time, they lack the opportunity to acquire the necessary social development skills that are imperative in life. Their time into the system may turn them into full-blown criminals who have a low probability of reforming. This makes them miss a lot in life and their adulthood, and end up suffering various gaps in social development.

Side Effects of Vaping: Health Risks for Teenagers

Vaping can also result to severe side effects. One of the most common side effects of vaping is that it causes dry mouth and skin issues (Vaping Daily 17). The dehydration caused by vaping can result in the flaky, itchy and red skin as well as dry mouth. It also causes dizziness (Vaping Daily 18). This is particularly causes by excess nicotine intake. Different people have varying body strengths and the occurrence of dizziness depends on the amount of nicotine one's body can handle. Furthermore, vaping has also been found to cause caffeine sensitivity. Many people who start vaping experience withdrawals which make them opt to take more coffee or other drinks with high levels of caffeine while new users usually experience anxiety and mood swings. Certain allergies can also be a side effect of vaping. The e-juices in vapers have been found to trigger specific allergies in the body. Vaping has also been seen to cause canker sores (Vaping Daily 21). Canker sores are small blisters that are formed in the mouth. However, the e-liquids and the vapor do not directly cause this side effect. Failure for the user to keep his or her in good hygiene is the issue. Another side effect is secondhand exposure and associated risks. Researchers have reason to believe that secondhand exposure to vaping is harmful despite the absence of carbon emissions in the process (Vaping Daily, para. 24). Reports prepared by Chitra Dinakar who an allergist, have revealed that infants and children are highly sensitive to toxic substances. Vaping in the presence of young children might expose them certain health risks.

Conclusion

The essay has offered essential insights on the primary reasons why young people should shun vaping. Vaping has been found to have identifiable harmful effects to the user's body. It has been associated with health issues such as skin irritations among others problems which significantly impact human health. The nicotine that is used in the vaper causes addiction to the user. Other chemicals used in vapers also have been found to introduce damaging effects on the human lungs. Early usage of vapers makes it harder for the young people to quit vaping. Additionally, vaping has been found to lead young individuals in adopting the use of other more dangerous drugs such as cocaine and marijuana. As a result, these hard drugs drive young people into illegal activities where they end up in correctional facilities or worse settings. Furthermore, vaping also has numerous side effects that are not pleasant. Such as dizziness, dry mouth, and throat, stimulation of allergies, and canker sores among others. Therefore, teenagers should stop vaping due to harmful impacts of chemical substances used in vapers.

Works Cited

Luna, P. L. 'Information and Facts about Electronic Cigarettes for Educators and Youth.' N.d.

Mash. 'Vape Culture Attracts Teens, Poses Harmful Risks.' HuffPost, 2015, Retrieved May 29, 2018, from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-mash/vape-culture-attracts-tee_b_8215340.html

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. 'Alcohol, Drugs, and Crime. 2018 https://www.ncadd.org/about-addiction/alcohol-drugs-and-crime

Samadi, D.D. 'E-cigarettes may be causing new health risks and increased vaping among teen's troubles me. New York Daily News, 2015. http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/doctor-increased-vaping-teens-troubles-article-1.2214092

Scituate FACTS Coalition. 'Just the FACTS: What parents and caregivers need to know about vaping and juuling. N.d. http://safeharborcohasset.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Vaping2.0.pdf

Vaping Daily. 'Side Effects of Vaping.' 2018 https://vapingdaily.com/what-is-vaping/vaping-side-effects/

Williams, D.C. E-Cigarettes, and Teens. 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2018, from http://www.rfhalliance.org/MunicipalAlliance/downloads/E-cigarettesGuide.pdf

Arnold, Carrie. "Vaping and health: what do we know about e-cigarettes?." Environmental health perspectives 122.9 (2014): A244. Retrieved May 27, 201