Nowadays, you will definitely see one thing in a college campus, a cafe, or a gathering of friends – someone is sitting with a small device in hand and is emitting smoke from it. This is a Vape, i.e., an E-cigarette. It looks like a modern gadget and is like a cigarette in use. The question arises as to how this vaping went viral so quickly, and whether it is really safer than cigarettes, or is it just a new trend?
Where Did Vaping Originate From?
The story of vaping began in the early 2000s. A pharmacist from China, Hon Lik, created it. Actually, his father died due to smoking. After this, he thought that nicotine should be given, but the poisonous smoke of a cigarette should be avoided. With this thought, the first e-cigarette was made.
Initially, it was considered only an alternative to quitting smoking, but gradually it became a fashion.
The Real Reason For Going Viral
Now the question is, how did it spread so fast?
- Role of Juul – In 2015, an American company launched it with a smartphone-like design and in different flavors. Flavors like Mango, Mint, and Crème brûlée attracted the youth a lot.
- Social media marketing – Its ads and influencers on Instagram and Snapchat made it “cool”.
- Flavor and packaging – Flavored vaping seemed new and trendy compared to cigarettes.
- Entry in Pakistan and India – After 2016, it started being easily available in shops here, too. Pocket-friendly refills and fashion pressure made it more viral.
Cigarette vs Vaping: Which is More Harmful?
Cigarette
- More than 7,000 chemicals are found in it.
- Tar and carbon monoxide** directly affect the lungs and heart.
- Passive smoking means harm to the people around as well.
- Expenses are also high – one packet daily becomes a huge expense for the month.
Vaping
- It does not produce smoke, but vapor. Therefore, there is no tar and carbon monoxide.
- But nicotine is present equally, and sometimes the quantity can be more. That means there is no relief from addiction.
- The liquid contains elements like propylene glycol and glycerin, which can form harmful chemicals when heated.
- Chemicals like Vitamin E acetate have been found in some cheap and fake pods, which spread a large number of lung diseases in the US in 2019.
- Expensive branded devices are a little more controlled, but refilled vapes available from local shops are riskier.
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What Does Medical Research Say?
- Short-term effects – sore throat, cough, difficulty in breathing, increased heart rate.
- Long-term risks
- Lung damage.
- Risk of heart attack.
- Possibility of cancer.
- The effect on brain development, especially in young children.
Doctors believe that vaping is a little less harmful than cigarettes, but it would be wrong to call it “safe”.
Why is It a Dangerous Trend?
- Its biggest problem is that it does not have the smell of smoke. Parents do not easily know that the child is vaping.
- It is shown as “style” on social media.
- Children up to 13–15 years are also getting addicted to it.
- Due to lax control and regulation in Pakistan and India, fake and dangerous products are being sold easily.
Why is It Necessary to Quit Vaping?
Many people think that “they start vaping to quit cigarettes“, but often they get trapped from one addiction to another. Gradually, the dose of nicotine increases, and then it becomes more difficult to quit.
What Should Be Done?
- If you want to quit smoking, seek help from a doctor. A nicotine patch or counseling is a better way.
- It is important to give information about it to children.
- Parents should take care that children are not exposed to it at home or school.
- The government will also have to control so that fake and dangerous pods are not sold in the market.
Vaping has made a place among the youth in a very short time. Modern in appearance, fun in flavor, and easy to use – these are the reasons why it went viral. But is it safer than cigarettes?
The answer is slightly less harmful, yes, but not absolutely safe.
In the end, it can be said that whether it is cigarettes or vaping, both are harmful to health. The only difference is that cigarettes are an old enemy and vaping is a new one.
If there is a trend that is being discussed the most in today’s era, then it is vaping. People want to know how vaping went viral so fast. Earlier, it was limited to a small group, but social media, YouTube videos, and sharing among friends made it a part of fashion.
Many youths asked this question: how did vaping go viral, and why did millions of people start adopting it in such a short time? Actually, its design, small gadget-like look, and flavored pods made it attractive among the youth.
When a friend brings a vape to school and college, others also want to try it. This is the moment when people think about how vaping went viral so fast. Another reason is that companies promoted it as a “safer than cigarettes” option.
When something is described as less harmful, people are quickly attracted. That is why people repeatedly ask: How did vaping go viral, and is it really better than cigarettes?
Marketing, Instagram, and YouTube influencers also fueled this trend. Small devices, cheap refills, and different flavors made it cool for the youth. This is why today this question is heard everywhere: How did vaping go viral, and is it just a fashion or a serious health issue? In fact, until this question is answered honestly, people will keep asking again and again how vaping went viral.
My name is Farhad Dawar and I am graduate of the Institute of Media and Communication Studies Bahaddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan. I’m passionate about journalism and media, and I believe in journalism of courage, uncovering the truth, and shaping the future.
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
