Addiction is a word often associated with drugs and overdosing, but attitudes toward it vary. Curtis proves no different, with many students falling victim to the addiction that plagues today’s generation: vapes. This slippery slope towards addiction has been lubricated by the media as nicotine is popularized by society and often marketed to teens through cool flavors.
With the start of the new year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released the 2023 results on youth tobacco use. Vapes, or e-cigarettes, have been named the most popular tobacco product for the 10th year in a row, and is used by almost three million students all over the nation. Interestingly enough, New York City laws prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to anyone under 21 years of age.
In a recent survey conducted throughout January, 2024, 50 Curtis students throughout the building were asked if they know at least one peer who vaped on a daily basis, and it was unanimously, all 50 knew a daily vaper. For students today, using vapes or sharing them has become the norm. When asking students about vaping, most were surprisingly open to sharing information about their habit.
What makes this glorified cancer-stick so popular? The addiction definitely helps, but what gets teens trying them is the suggested risk that comes with it. This has been proven through research by the FDA and CDC that teens are most susceptible for a variety of reasons, the most common being peer pressure and the appeal of ‘danger’ as a natural act of rebellion in this stage of their lives.
A member of the health center, Brandi Figueroa, revealed that half the students who enter the health center, have reported that they have experience smoking. Vapes may appear safer because they look ‘modern’, but in actuality their sleek and appealing attributes are really just hiding the dangerous contents.
As of 2023, the FDA has reported that millions of students nationwide admitted to using a vape or tobacco product of some kind. However, this is again only a small fraction of the actual number of students who smoke, because not all step forward in acknowledging their addiction.
Think twice to prevent making what could likely be the biggest mistake of one’s life. What begins as an innocent and curious first try of a vape could lead to a deathly cancer over the next few decades.
The Youth Health Ambassadors, a club at Curtis, has monthly themes to raise awareness for growing health issues among teens. January’s focus revolves around smoking and vaping awareness. As the Curtis community works to lessen vape usage, hopefully this initiative will help lessen usage of the student body.
As a member of the Youth Health Ambassadors Bernice Lee feels that the dangers of vaping is an important issue. “I believe that bringing awareness to a problem like addiction is very important because some people come across this topic and don’t take it too seriously, and all too soon the are addicted. Knowing how and why is the first step to getting healthier,” said Lee.
