A recent study, which found that a quarter of matric learners are vaping to deal with stress, has proven cause for concern for researchers and the education department alike.
The preliminary study by UCT pulmonologist Professor Richard van Zyl-Smit and other researchers highlighted the alarming trend among matric learners at affluent high schools, amid concerns expressed by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) over the increase in the number of young children caught in possession of e-cigarettes in schools.
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In the report, published on the university’s Lung Institute website, Van Zyl-Smit revealed that one in four (25%) of learners in affluent areas were using vape products and that the habit was prevalent among high school learners of all ages.
“It’s marketed not necessarily directly to adolescents although much of the marketing is towards younger people and it is not only the matriculants,” he said.
“There are Grade 8s and I have been asked to come and talk to some Grade 7s who are also vaping.”
Van Zyl-Smit added that while there was a social element to vaping, many pupils claimed to be using vapes to cope with stress and anxiety, as well as the pressures of high school, which had led to them vaping to get a dopamine release to help them cope.
“This has led to many students showing signs of developing an addiction to nicotine and the vape market desperately needs to be regulated to prevent this rise of addiction among high school students.”
“It’s trendy and there is no legislation or regulations meaning that it has become a free for all market,” he said.
Van Zyl-Smit emphasised that vaping is extremely addictive, as products contain nicotine, making it difficult for users to stop.
He believes that government should make vaping products less accessible while introducing strict measures regarding advertising.
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Picture: Cape{town} Etc Library