After a slew of mysterious vape-related illnesses in the United States were reported this month, vaping continues to be a topic of discussion among millennials, concerned parents, and politicians.
The popular electronic cigarettes or ‘vapes’ are marketed as the healthier alternative, and consumption has risen significantly in the last five years, enough for the tobacco industry to brace itself for the impact.
Tobacco use in Australia alone has declined since 1991, as indicated in the National Drug Strategy Household Survey conducted every three years by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Daily tobacco consumption in Australia from people aged 14 years or older has decreased significantly by half, going from 24.3 percent in 1991, to 12.2 per cent in 2016.
While this number drops, there has been an increase in Australians who have never smoked tobacco, from 49 per cent in 1991, to 62.3 per cent in 2016.
The decline in tobacco consumption has been linked to e-cigarette usage*, with the perception that vaping is the lesser of two evils being one of the top reasons more people are choosing the newer, sleeker ‘cigarette’.
Young people are at the forefront of the vaping movement, with frequent use most common among smokers aged 18-24 at 6.8 per cent.
Though the current media storm may change these statistics in 2020, after 530 cases of a probable vape-related illness have been reported in the United States alone in the last month.
The Trump administration on Wednesday, September 11 announced a ban on the sale of ‘black market’ flavoured vapes after facing pressure from health officials, law makers and concerned parents.
The National Health and Medical Research Council said that “e-cigarettes may expose users to chemicals and toxins such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, particulate matter and flavouring chemicals, at levels that have the potential to cause adverse health effects”.
While I like the Vaping alternative to Cigarettes, we need to make sure this alternative is SAFE for ALL! Let’s get counterfeits off the market, and keep young children from Vaping!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 13, 2019
US President Donald Trump earlier this month tweeted about the matter, stating “while I like the Vaping alternative to Cigarettes, we need to make sure this alternative is SAFE for ALL! Let’s get counterfeits off the market, and keep young children from Vaping!”.
The future of tobacco consumption and vaping it rests in the research and regulation of flavoured e-cigarettes, and as public debate continues, we can expect more reliable information.
*According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, data is not complete but may still be used to give an indication of consumption.
Featured Image: Creative commons, “Vaping in the VAPES Warehouse” by VAPES.COM
