Health and Wellness
Hon Booysen .
With regard to an article published in the Cape Argus on 14 April that indicate that 17% of learners in South Africa use e-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes:
(a) What are the most prominent health concerns associated with the use of e-cigarettes and vaping and (b) what is the breakdown of these reported health-related concerns by age group of (i) 15 to 17 and (ii) 18 to 20?
- Prominent health concerns associated with the use of e-cigarettes:
Nicotine dependence and brain development
Modern vaping liquids often contain high‑strength nicotine salts. Regular use can lead to dependence and may interfere with the still‑developing adolescent brain, affecting attention, learning and impulse control.
Respiratory irritation and lung injury
Exposure to heated chemicals and flavourings can irritate airways, worsen cough or wheeze and, in some cases, contribute to serious lung injury (sometimes called EVALI). Dual use with cigarettes increases the overall burden on the lungs.
Cardiovascular stress
Nicotine and certain aerosol constituents can raise heart rate and blood pressure for short periods, adding strain to the cardiovascular system over time.
Mental‑health effects
Research links frequent vaping to higher levels of anxiety, low mood and increased likelihood of later cigarette smoking, although the exact direction of these relationships is still being studied.
Injuries and poisonings Accidental swallowing of e‑liquid, battery malfunctions and burns from overheated devices are of concern, particularly where products are modified or sourced informally. These instances may not be limited to the end-user, but could include children in the household.
Risks in pregnancy and early childhood Nicotine exposure during pregnancy may affect foetal brain and lung development. Young children can also be harmed by second‑hand aerosol or by ingesting flavoured liquids stored in the home.
- Overview of concerns by age band
15 – 17 years: Users in this younger group often start experimenting at school and can develop nicotine dependence quickly. Because brain development is still under way, they are regarded as especially vulnerable to long‑term cognitive and behavioural impacts. Respiratory irritation (persistent cough, throat irritation) is the concern most frequently reported to school health services. Mental‑health practitioners also note that vaping sometimes co‑exists with anxiety and stress in this age group. Serious injuries and poisonings are less common but do occur, mainly through curiosity‑driven handling of devices and liquids.
18 – 20 years : By late adolescence and early adulthood, patterns of use tend to be more established, and dependence can be harder to reverse. Early cardiovascular effects (such as episodes of rapid heartbeat or elevated blood pressure after vaping) are reported somewhat more often than in younger teens. Respiratory symptoms remain a concern, particularly among dual users who smoke cigarettes as well. Mental‑health associations continue, and this age band is more likely to experiment with larger devices or high‑powered mods, increasing the chance of battery‑related injuries.
