Vape Use Rises in Teens Despite Sales Ban

Chetumal, MX — Although the ban on the sale of vapes came into force nine months ago, the consumption of electronic cigarettes to simulate tobacco use has registered an increase among minors due to the ease of obtaining them on social networks, stated the director of the Chetumal Center for Youth Integration (CIJ), Sergio Castillo Barrera.

He acknowledged that the ease with which young people have access to these devices is alarming, due to the unlimited and uncontrolled sales conducted through social networks, and that it often serves as the first step towards the consumption of other illegal substances.

He said the use of vapes has been detected among youth aged 14, 15, or 16 in secondary schools, as well as among upper secondary, higher education students, and adults. The CIJ has intensified its information campaigns in schools to provide details on the damages caused by the use of these devices and the tools to avoid them.

The increase in the use of vapes among adolescents is a concern because it has been considered the first steps towards the initiation of other addictions, "even though scientific studies have shown that the use of vapes causes severe damage. Vapes among teenagers is an alarming issue, because they are consuming them more and more; in theory it is prohibited, but unfortunately there are still places where they are commercialized and the vast majority get them on the internet," he reiterated.

Castillo Barrera considered that parents should talk to their children. "We firmly believe that prohibitionist culture has its pros and cons; however, the culture of information is the most functional. At the end of the day, if someone comes and offers it, the possibility exists, but we want that when that happens, the adolescent has the tools to be able to say no, thank you, rather than giving in to curiosity."