The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is raising a red flag: vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking, especially for teenagers and young adults. While vapes may look sleek and smell like sweets, they are anything but harmless. Nicotine addiction, lung damage, and increased risk of moving on to cigarettes are just a few of the health dangers. A recent South African study found that one in six high school students already use vapes.
CANSA warns that South Africa’s current tobacco laws are outdated and full of loopholes. Vape products are being sold near schools – often at kids’ eye level – and online shops rarely check the child’s age. Parents, caregivers, teachers – take charge and talk to young people about the risks of vaping. While vaping may seem trendy and a healthier alternative to smoking, the long-term damage to your health can be significant.
Research from Johns Hopkins University on vape ingredients reveals thousands of chemical ingredients in vape products, most of which are not yet identified. Among the identified ingredients were several potentially harmful substances, including caffeine, three chemicals never previously found in e-cigarettes, a pesticide and two flavourings linked with possible toxic effects and respiratory irritation.
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