Over the last 3 years the trend of smoking through e-cigarettes has risen massively. Leeds has seen 20 stores open up around the centre and suburbs that are solely selling disposable and refillable vaping products.
The government statistics said that around 3.1 million to 3.2 million adults vape in the UK from 2022 compared to the 700,000 adults in 2012.
Are they aiming to target a younger audience?
Vaping has become a massive social activity for the younger generations. It is suggested that this is due to the much larger stigma towards smoking which has been pushed on the younger generations in the UK, however another reason that has attracted students to vapes in the flavours that are produced by vape companies such as: bubblegum, cottoncandy, gummy bear and many more ‘young’ flavours.
Leeds Beckett University student Siena Kisten said: “I never like smoking but after moving to university everyone around me had vapes, I started using my friends while on nights out and finally bought myself one last year and now have bought one every week since.”
University of Leeds student Jamie Putt said: “My addiction started to do with stress as a student due to university work and managing a job and university, I found vaping to be a stress reliever however I am constantly getting headaches and it has destroyed my stamina when it comes to sports.”
“Personally I can understand why someone vapes but I would not advise anyone to start especially if only begging due to social settings.”
In response to a questionnaire the Leeds public on average spend around £30 a month on vape products.
Nicotine and the effects on the brain
The most popular disposable vape brand in Leeds is Elfbar, Geekbar and EluxLegend. Each of these vapes either have the option or only sells vapes with 20mg of nicotine, this is what is advised for smokers who used to smoke around a pack of cigarettes a day.
Due to nicotine being the addictive part of cigarettes and e-cigarettes for people who are first time users of vapes this can cause a high addiction easily and from an early start.
Kings College neuroscience researcher Dr Freddie Waites said: “Vapes so far in research have been proven to be healthier than cigarettes. But the main concern for the brain when someone begins to vape the nicotine can increase a persons depression and anxiety massively, however we are more concerned for the younger generations who brains are still developing as it can cause affects on a persons memory and concentration.”
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