According to studies, adolescent vapers put themselves at risk of exposure to harmful metals that might damage essential organs, including the brain.
Experts have said that more legislation and preventative initiatives are necessary to end the targeting of teenagers.
For youths who tend to like sugary e-cigarette flavors, the danger may be even greater.
Findings were reported in Tobacco Control, indicating that uranium levels were affected by different vape flavors.
They show infiltration of lead, uranium, and cadmium in their bodies, which was determined by analyzing biomarkers in the urine.
The research discovered that lead levels in the urine of both regular and occasional e-cigarette users were greater than those of infrequent vapers.
Two hundred American adolescents, ranging in age from thirteen to seventeen, were analyzed. They were classified as regular, irregular, or occasional vapers.
Daily use was calculated based on the average number of puffs, ranging from 27 to 7.9 to 0.9.
Urinary uranium levels were also higher in those who vape often than in those who do it less frequently.
While 33% of vapers favored mint or menthol flavors, 49.8% favored fruit flavors and 15.3% favored sweet flavors.
According to the study, vapers who favored sweet flavors rather than menthol or mint had greater uranium levels.
Adolescent e-cigarette usage is associated with an increased risk of metal exposure, which may have adverse effects on organ and brain development. These results highlight the need for more studies, regulations on vaping, and public health initiatives aimed at reducing the risks associated with e-cigarette use, especially among young people.
In 2023, 20.5% of British youngsters have experimented with vaping, up from 15.8% in 2022 and 13.9% in 2020, according to a survey released in June by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash).
Aiming to ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, the Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, unveiled in October, seeks to establish a smoke-free generation.
Additionally, it will take action against e-cigarettes to reduce their allure among youth.
Some suggestions include limiting the variety of flavors and packaging available for vapes and the way they are displayed in stores.
