Dear Editor,
The prevalence of vaping is rising in British Columbia, and 91原创 is no exception, making it a pressing public health concern.
According to the 2022 Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey, 14 per cent of youth aged 15 to 19 have used vape in the past 30 days.
Despite the existing regulations, flavoured vape products and targeted marketing strategies continue to attract youth. (Source: see references below item 1)
The accessibility of the products coupled with the misconception that vaping is 鈥渟afe鈥� compared to smoking has increased the numbers even more. (2)
Youth vaping is not just a local issue but a growing global public health concern, with increasing prevalence reported in countries worldwide, prompting international efforts to regulate e-cigarettes and curb youth addiction. (1)
This contributes to increased nicotine dependence and long-term health risks. Early exposure to nicotine can negatively impact brain development in the younger population along with an increased likelihood of addiction and other adverse health effects such as lung diseases. (3)
Additionally, people who vape are more likely to take up smoking as well, further exacerbating the health consequences. (2, 4, 5)
While the BC government has done a great job formulating policies to address this issue, stronger local measures are necessary to protect our youth. (2)
Enhancing school-based education programs to engage youth better 鈥� rather than relying on punitive methods 鈥� and enforcing stricter age verification for vape product purchases, and educating families and parents are some essential steps that must be taken. (6)
Furthermore, collaboration between policymakers, educators, and public health professionals is necessary to ensure these interventions are effective.
Youth vaping is a rising but preventable public health issue but not taking necessary actions will cause this problem to escalate. I urge local authorities and community leaders to prioritize stronger policies and school-based programs to protect and promote the health and well-being of the younger generation. (2, 6)
I am a master of public health candidate at Simon Fraser University.
Sameen Fatima, Willoughby
References
1. Health Canada. Vaping 鈥� Canada.ca. Government of Canada; 2024 [cited 2025 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/smoking-tobacco/vaping.html
2. American Heart Association. How to keep kids and teens from smoking and vaping [Internet]. American Heart Association; [cited 2025 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/how-to-keep-kids-and-teens-from-smoking-and-vaping
3. Chen Y, Liu S, Cai Y, Liu H, Zhang R, Yang X, et al. Designing vaping prevention messages for youth: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2025 Feb 1;15(2):e089394. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089394
4. American Heart Association. Is Vaping Better Than Smoking? American Heart Association; [cited 2025 Feb 2025]. Available from: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/how-to-keep-kids-and-teens-from-smoking-and-vaping
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health effects of e-cigarettes. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2024 [cited 2025 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects.html
6. Government of BC. Tobacco and vapour products: Requirements under Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act Regulation. Government of British Columbia; 2024 [cited 2025 Feb 25]. Available from: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/keeping-bc-healthy-safe/tobacco-vapour/requirements-under-tobacco-vapour-product-control-act-regulation
7. Sharma RH, Dow-Fleisner SJ, Struik LL. Preventing and addressing youth vaping in British Columbia, Canada: Evidence from triangulation of a scoping review of vaping policy and qualitative interviews with school-aged youth [internet]. Preventive medicine reports [cited 2025 Feb 22]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525000270?via%3Dihub
