E-cigarettes or vapes are often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. Their popularity has surged, especially among young people, potentially creating a new generation of smokers.

This is a particular concern for a country like South Africa which has a huge youth bulge, warns Dr Sharon Nyatsanza, Deputy Director at the National Council Against Smoking.

It’s estimated that 2.2% of current smokers in South Africa use e-cigarettes. A recent study which included 25,000 learners across 52 high schools in South Africa found that one in six learners are vaping. 

“Dual use of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes is high in South Africa. To make matters worse, vapes are not regulated which makes them easier to access. We’re particularly worried about the targeted marketing of these products to young people.”    

While e-cigarettes do not contain the same toxic chemicals as traditional cigarettes, they still contain nicotine, and their use is increasingly linked to various health issues. Alarmingly, some studies suggest that e-cigarettes may even contribute to lung injuries. 

‘Why I vape’

Tholakele Mbonani, a freelance reporter from Ekurhuleni noticed an increase in vaping in her community and took to the streets to find out more.  

Solomon Mathe, a 36-year-old from Duduza works at a shop that sells vapes, cigarettes and hubbly. He started using e-cigarettes or vaping five years ago. He recalls that his journey into vaping began at a lively social event, where the desire to look “cool” initially drew him in.

Now, he finds himself reaching for disposable vapes more frequently, purchasing them for R280 each, which he says lasts him a week, offering up to 25,000 puffs. Despite his casual approach, he is worried. Mathe has started experiencing severe chest pains during his vaping sessions. “It really depends on the flavour,” he explains. “Some of them amplify the discomfort.” 

What was once a carefree habit has now taken a significant toll on his health, leaving him to question the long-term impact.

Sphiwe Mnisi, a 20-year-old from Tsakane in the East Rand, who has been vaping for four years. He started with hubbly bubbly at a party when he was 16 and later switched to vaping, although he still occasionally smokes hubbly with friends. For Sphiwe, vaping offers not only a variety of flavours but also the convenience of portability. “I love the designs of the disposable vapes; they’re a status symbol,” he says. “It shows you can afford it.”

Mnisi admits he never considered the health implications. For him, it’s all about looking cool and fitting in with his social circle.

Sbongiseni Mhlambi, a 28-year-old from Duduza, sees vaping as a better alternative to traditional cigarettes, particularly because he finds it less addictive. Having struggled with cigarette addiction in the past, Mhlambi now vapes intermittently to help curb cravings.

 “It’s not as addictive as cigarettes,” he explains. “When I’m craving a cigarette, vaping helps take the edge off.” 

Mhlambi’s experience highlights how some users may turn to e-cigarettes as a way to manage their smoking habits, despite the potential risks involved.

Lwazi Mgcunu, a 20-year-old from KwaThema, has been vaping for six months. Mgcunu vapes for fun, though he admits some flavours can make him feel light-headed or give him a slight high.

 “Some flavours are stronger than others,” he notes. “I don’t find vaping addictive; I just do it when I go out on weekends.” For Mgcunu, vaping is primarily a recreational activity, and he does not feel the same dependence on it as other users might feel with traditional cigarettes.

Not a harmless pastime

Professor Catherine Egbe warns that e-cigarettes have far-reaching effects, especially on young people. Egbe, a Senior Specialist Scientist at the Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council, explains that like traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine impacts the developing brain, making it susceptible to the addiction of other drugs like cannabis and even cocaine.

“We also know that electronic cigarettes have been found to be a gateway to smoking traditional cigarettes. So at the end of the day, young people who start using or start vaping have a higher likelihood of transitioning to cigarettes and then to other drugs,” she says.

Egbe says vapes produce smaller molecules or particles that have direct access to the body or that can go deeper into the body when you use them, compared to cigarettes. 

“There are some components of these products that are of a metallic nature. The coil of the e-cigarette heats up, and because of that, it introduces unique contaminants and chemicals into the e-liquid,” she says.  

Some of the harmful substances found in e-liquids and aerosols include propylene glycol (a liquid used to create vapour), cancer-causing tobacco chemicals, formaldehyde (can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat), heavy metals like nickel (a carcinogen) and tin, and nicotine, which is addictive and harmful. – Health-e News