Global youth vaping and respiratory health: epidemiology, interventions, and policies

E-cigarette usage (also known as e-cigarettes or vaping products) has increasingly been recognized as a global public health problem. One challenge in particular involves their marketing to minors (teenagers and children) and the rising prevalence of use in this population. E-cigarettes unnecessarily expose minors to health risks, these include respiratory health problems, such as exacerbations of asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory-tract irritation. Nicotine, commonly found in e-cigarettes, is also associated with cognitive impairment and neurodevelopmental problems. E-cigarettes are also risk factors for downstream substance use, including cigarettes and cannabis initiation (the gateway hypothesis), which compounds health risks in dual users. Current public health preventative and intervention studies are limited, and there is a clear need for more interventions that may prevent usage and assist with cessation in this vulnerable population. Physician education and screening uptake should also be enhanced. Stricter public health policy and protection measures are also needed on a global scale to limit e-cigarette exposure in minors.

Automated summary

The usage of e-cigarettes, also known as vaping products, is being widely recognized as a global public health issue. One significant challenge is the marketing of these products to minors, leading to an increase in usage among teenagers and children. E-cigarettes expose minors to unnecessary health risks, including respiratory problems and cognitive impairment. They are also linked to the initiation of other substances, such as cigarettes and cannabis, which compounds the health risks for dual users. More interventions and stricter public health policies are needed to prevent and reduce e-cigarette usage among minors.