While vaping has been a hot topic for some time now, the cultural  finds itself back in the headlines, but not for positive reasons. 

Just in these past few weeks, there have been over 450 people affected by vaping and this past year, there have been seven vaping related deaths reported. The ages vary from 19 to over 50. This could possibly form an opening for teens to see the real effect vaping does to your body and perhaps cause some to quit. 

   Doctors have inferred that most patients that have come in with very similar lung illnesses have vaped more than once in the past 90 days. It is advised that vaping is not safe whether that being nicotine or weed.      

   One of the most recent vape victims was a woman around 50 who became ill shorty after using vape products. All victims have experienced a hard time breathing, coughing and fatigue. 

   In an article from Vice, Meilan K. Han, professor of internal medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Michigan Medicine and director of the Michigan Airways Program, explains the dangers of the different products that consumers are purchasing.

   “Cigarettes contain their own risks for increasing risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and a host of other lung problems,” Han said. “The bottom line is that the lungs were not designed to breathe anything other than clean air. Anything other than that is a potential health risk.” 

   Junior, Rick Green has been vaping for about a year now. As many teens spend an abundant amount of money for this phenomenon, Green finds himself spending up to $3000 in just a few months. 

   “I do see myself quitting in the near future because I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life, but I don’t advise anyone to vape or do any drugs… but please just don’t do it, there’s no point to it,” said junior, Rick Green*.    

  After hearing all of the risks and horrible things vaping has put people through, it is hopeful that most, and hopefully all, make the choice to quit the use of e-cigarettes.  

   But dealing with addiction is a very hard process. However, it’s important to remind people how there is always a way to defeat it. As a teen, hearing all of these stories and knowing people who I care deeply about who vape, I hope they choose what is best for them. We are the future and the ones who can make a difference in this world. But it’s best if we start as soon as we can. 

*Name has been changed