Part 1
Al-Hamdani, Mohammed, Hopkins D. Brett, and Tristan Park. "Vaping among Youth and Young Adults: A “Red Alert” State." Journal of Public Health Policy, vol. 41, no. 1, 2020, pp. 63-69. ProQuest, https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-019-00193-2. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
The article explores the growing popularity of vaping, its appeal to the younger population, and the health risks involved. The need for stricter regulations on vaping products is the text's main argument. Evidence shown to back this up includes younger groups' ease of access to vapes and the gravitation they have towards fruity flavored options being sold. The article gains strength as they lay out viable policy measures that could limit the appeal of vaping products, in order to reduce the potential harms they casue.
Anand, Venkata et al. “Vaping Epidemic in US Teens: problem and solutions.” Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine, vol. 27, no. 2, 2021, pp. 88-94, https://journals.lww.com/co-pulmonarymedicine/abstract/2021/03000/vaping_epidemic_in_us_teens__problem_and_solutions.7.aspx?context=latestarticles. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
Bullen, Chris et al. “Comment on 'How should nicotine vaping be regulated in Australia', Mendelson et al.” Drug and alcohol review, vol. 42, no.5, 2023, pp.1295-1297, https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy1.usc.edu/37409356/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
Australia and New Zealand’s respective approach to regulating vapes is examined throughout the article. Australia was much more conservative by banning vapes while New Zealand opted to keep them legalized with hope that people would smoke less cigarettes. Evidence showed stagnant cigarette smoking rates in Australia, this in tune with decreased rates in New Zealand strengthen the idea that vaping can replace the old way of smoking. The article weakened because of its lack of exploration into whether vaping is a better option than smoking health wise. Youth vaping and smoking was also prominent in both countries due to marketing and social pressures which doesn’t bode well for either approach.
Cartujano, Francisco et al. “Developing Graphic Messages for Vaping Prevention Among Black and Latino Adolescents: Participatory Research Approach.” Journal of Participatory Medicine, vol. 13, no.3, 2021, https://jopm.jmir.org/2021/3/e29945. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
Dube, Catherine et al. “Adolescents Who Vape Nicotine and Their Experiences Vaping: A Qualitative Study.”Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 2023, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/11782218231183934, Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
“Examining the dangers of vaping as outlined by a recovering teen addict.” YouTube, uploaded by News Channel 3-12, 3 March 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9WqNSwXgVU.
The news clip examines the dangerous health and addictive implications vaping has on teens by interviewing a recovering addict. The purpose of showing a teen girl struggling from addiction is to scare potential users away from the popular trend of vaping while providing empathy for those who need help dealing with similar issues. Dr. Schwartz, the girl's father, speaks of the first hand experience he had watching his daughter struggle with addiction and major respiratory issues. The raw truthfulness and regret seen in the clip strengthens the reality of how detrimental vaping is for young kids and their families.
Farrel, Kayla., et al. “Passive exposure to e-cigarette emissions is associated with worsened mental health.” BMC Public Health, 2022, https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-13470-9. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
The article’s main argument is that second hand smoke and vaping are associated with mental health disorders including depression. This was tested through an experiment that proved individuals exposed to second hand vape emissions were associated with mental health issues. The group that wasn’t exposed to the emissions didn’t see these issues. Having careful experimentation and very clear conclusions served as two of this article's biggest strengths.
Galstyan, Ellen, et al. “An Assessment of Vape Shop Products in California before and after Implementation of FDA and State Regulations.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 19, no. 23, Nov. 2022, p. 15827. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315827. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
Kechter, Afton et al. “Young adult perspectives on their respiratory health symptoms since vaping.” Substance Abuse, vol. 42, no. 4, 2021, pp. 428-432, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8259897/ Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
This article is interested in the respiratory health symptoms of individuals since they started vaping. It was found that participants in the experiment reported respiratory health issues such as phlegm, cough, and lung pain. Others reported a decrease in exercise endurance since they started vaping. This gave evidence towards vaping negatively impacting the respiratory system but the article admitted there needed to be more research done. The amount of details and data collection was a strong suit of the article.
Ker, Suzy., et al. “Everything You Wanted to Know about E-Cigarettes and Vaping but Were Afraid to Ask: a Guide for Mental Health Clinicians.” BJPsych Advances, vol. 25, no. 5, 2019, pp. 279-286, https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-advances/article/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-ecigarettes-and-vaping-but-were-afraid-to-ask-a-guide-for-mental-health-clinicians/F2FDC01A56EF39D31D7AEF0BB5CD49D0. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
Vaping and its effects on mental health serve as the main subject matter throughout the article. This is done to provide information for clinicians that deal with patients whose mental and physical health has been negatively impacted by vaping. The statistics outlined demonstrate vape-caused mental health concerns, strengthening the article and providing evidence that vaping is a real detriment to a healthy lifestyle. Credibility is also gained with the discussion of vapes' desirable design, among other reasons people are attracted to them. The only reason the piece becomes weaker is the acknowledgement that their findings don’t have long-term evidence at the moment.
King, Brian A. "The EVALI and Youth Vaping Epidemics — Implications for Public Health." The New England Journal of Medicine, 20 Feb. 2020, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1916171. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
Lin, Erica., et al. “E-Cigarette: Friend or Foe?” Tobacco Dependence, edited by Eakin M.N, Humana, Cham, 2023, pp. 199-211. https://doi-org.libproxy2.usc.edu/10.1007/978-3-031-24914-3_11
Liu, Jessica et al. “School-based programs to prevent adolescent e-cigarette use: A report card.” Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, Vol. 52, No.6, 2022, Science Direct, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1538544222000736. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
Evaluating school-based programs and their ability to prevent the younger population from joining the vaping community is the main purpose of this source. The article sheds light on the studies, models, and initiatives that have been put into place including “Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit” seminars and initiatives. It is mentioned within the text that these initiatives need to be a community effort with schools, teachers, and parents all being involved. Evidence displayed against suspension as an effective punishment for vaping provides headway that this type of holistic approach is worth implementing.
“Nicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping.” Huberman Lab, 10 September 2022, https://open.spotify.com/episode/4B5w86VCJnnxnd5D50ajKn?si=521017b5c5774790
This podcast explains the positive impacts nicotine can have on the brain and body but argues that the way it’s consumed by humans causes adverse health effects. Huberman uses his studies as a neuroscientist at Stanford and other scientific research to provide evidence-based recommendations to inform listeners to stay away from vaping and current users on how to quit. The abundance of information and research backed evidence he provides is a major strength of the piece leaving no room for weaknesses.
Parents Against Vaping. “Youth Vaping: The Facts.” 2022. PDF. https://studylib.net/doc/25581061/youth-vaping-2-pager-06.03
This text displays the “truth” about vaping and serves as a platform to educate communities and push against the vape epidemic harming their children. Key statistics surrounding the youth’s use of vapes and the detriment it brings serve as the main evidence in the text. The source is strengthened by giving advice to readers on how they can be a part of the solution while offering help to those that need it. Not being harsh enough with the presentation of the adverse health effects on the document is a small weakness.
Smith, Tracy et al. “Intention to Quit Vaping Among United States Adolescents.” JAMA Pediatr, vol. 175, no. 1, 2021, pp. 97-99, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2769574. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
“TikTok trend exposes health dangers of vaping.” Undo, End Tobacco Damage Now, 19 December. 2022, https://www.undo.org/addicting-kids/social-media-exposes-health-dangers-vaping-tobacco-products. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
TikTok was used by young individuals to share their personal experiences when it came to vaping. The article shared stories of young kids who received collapsed lungs and hospitalization in order to demonstrate the health implications vaping has. It's explained that the tobacco industry targets kids by selling fun flavors and promoting the idea that vaping isn’t as dangerous as smoking. The article strengthens itself by giving the kids credit for telling stories about how they were manipulated and ultimately harmed by these corporations. It could have been a little stronger had there been more statistics regarding just how many kids are being harmed across the country.
Timothy D Becker., et al. “Systematic Review of Electronic Cigarette Use (Vaping) and Mental Health Comorbidity Among Adolescents and Young Adults.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Volume 23, no. 3, 2021, pp. 415-425. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaa171. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
“Youth vaping and associated risk behaviors — A snapshot of colorado.” The New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 380, no.7, 2019, pp. 689-690. ProQuest, https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc1900830. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
Across the entire United States, Colorado had the highest use of vapes among those aged 18 years or younger. Beyond potential health risks, the article examined the association vaping may have with other risky behaviors. Studies provided evidence that young kids who vaped were also more likely to engage in sexual, substance-use, and violent behaviors. This article comes with a very data driven approach that clearly shows correlation between risky behaviors and youth vaping. This strengthens the concerns surrounding the vape epidemic calling for action in communities everywhere, not just Colorado.
“What are the health risks of vaping?” YouTube, uploaded by National Institute on Drug Abuse, 27 January 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN7iCZJ3H6w
The informational video admits that there was positivity when vapes were created due to optimism that it would help cigarette smokers quit. This thought process changed when a rise in youth vapers came because of the introduction of these devices. Dr. Kevin Walton explains that when someone hits a vape they are inhaling aerosol, among a combination of other dangerous chemicals. He argues that the use of vapes causes higher blood pressure, addiction, and other long term effects caused by the chemicals inside. No evidence is shown implicating that these long term effects are true which slightly weakened the video.
Part 2
After extensive research and engaging with multiple forms of text my understanding of the youth vaping epidemic has grown significantly. Coming into this project I had little to no knowledge of the targeted marketing towards young communities or the detrimental health implications the vaping industry exhibits. I never vaped in high school, but that changed when I came to college. The popularity of the activity made it a social norm when I was a Freshman and it seemed that with the snap of a finger I was sucked into the masses and became someone who vaped. It wasn’t an everyday thing, nor have I ever bought one, but I always knew that the decision to vape had to have worse implications on my health than what I was letting myself believe.
One of the most surprising and scary discoveries I made was how addictive nicotine, a primary ingredient in a vape, actually is. Stanford Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman explained on his podcast that the transient rush that comes from inhaling a vape can be compared to smoking crack cocaine. The puff from a vape floods the brain with the feel good chemical of dopamine and a lot of other drugs do the same, including cocaine. This creates addiction and is especially concerning among younger groups whose brains are not fully developed and therefore more susceptible to becoming hooked. What may start as a harmless once in a while activity can easily become a habit and lead to detrimental health implications.
Another discovery I made during my research was how harmful to body and mind vaping is. Some of the potential risks associated with vaping besides addiction include exposure to heavy metals and chemicals, lung injuries, respiratory problems, heart issues, impact on brain development, increased risk of smoking, potential for poisoning, and unknown long term effects. Back when everyone smoked cigarettes the knowledge of their killing properties was not common and it took time for people to realize. I think about this a lot and become worried that the long term effects of vaping could be as bad or worse. Some of the short term effects were explained in a YouTube video serving as one of my sources. Jessica, a recovering teen victim of vape addiction, shared her story of vaping that began when she was 15 years old. She was so addicted that she “felt nauseous, cranky, and anxious” whenever she didn’t have her vape for more than 30 minutes. She also faced many physical consequences including not being able to get out of a chair or make it up flights of stairs. There is no reason she shouldn’t be able to perform these activities and I believe this story demonstrates how serious the vape epidemic is, especially to people of youth like Jessica. The mental health deterioration caused by vaping was also very sad to learn about during my research.
The final main discovery I made was how vapes have been unethically marketed to younger generations. Corporations have targeted the youth by offering popular flavors, sleek designs, and misleading health information. This is when I became almost angry and more passionate about this topic. These companies demonstrate their lack of human decency by taking advantage a mentally immature population who don’t know any better when making the decision to start vaping. Affordability and accessibility of vapor products also make it way too easy for kids to get their hands on the damaging product. I believe it is also very important to acknowledge the lack of regulation that surrounded vapes when they first came out. This allowed companies to get children hooked without facing much backlash in the early stages of this epidemic.
My view of this topic has drastically changed throughout this process and I am much more motivated to continue researching this product. Going forward, I imagine myself diving deeper into explaining the harm vaping does to the mind and body in order to educate as many people who may still be unaware. I also want to research the initiatives and regulations that are currently in place surrounding vaping. Once I have a better grasp of the current landscape, I want to offer research based recommendations for newer initiates and regulations that’s main purpose is to keep vapes out of our youth’s hands. I see myself doing this through a multimedia analytical essay that combines careful research with some of my own original evidence. This original evidence curation will come from discussions with my peers and possible interviews of my friends who currently vape or have gone through the process of quitting. I think this will best serve the youth community's needs because of the impact mixing thorough research with real personal experiences creates. Hopefully I can make a difference in the way people see this epidemic and can turn some heads to join the fight.