In these media, so-called vaping is usually presented as interesting and safe; device is linked to diseases and risks similar to those of regular cigarettes
EINSTEIN AGENCY – Teenagers who live on social networks are more sensitive to experiences electronic cigarettes, suggests a new study from Yale University in the United States. The article was published in Preventing Chronic Disease, a scientific journal funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, an American service that deals with disease prevention and control).
According to the authors, a lot of information about cigarettes is available on the Internet, but little is known about the influence of the virtual world on smoking among young people. To uncover this relationship, they evaluated data from more than 7,000 adolescents ages 12 to 16 who participated in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH), a longitudinal study that evaluates the impact of tobacco on the health of Americans. The survey was conducted at two points in time, between 2016 and 2018 and between 2018 and 2019. None of the volunteers had tried vaping in the initial assessment.
A year later, those who used social media daily were three times more likely to try the device than those who didn’t.
Scientists point out that there is a lot of content in which e-cigarettes are often presented as something glamorous, healthy and safe. This, combined with usage by peers, would lead to greater susceptibility to experimentation. However, they did not find a direct association with continued cigarette use.
“One of the main dangers of social networks is precisely the exposure to flashy media information, not always with informative data on the pros and cons. Children and adolescents may not have the maturity to know how harmful this is,” says psychologist Caroline Nóbrega, of the Israelite Albert Einstein Hospital. “Vape is closely linked to parties, something ‘hip’, and this content arouses curiosity and the desire to experiment also in search of social acceptance.”
On the other hand, both experimentation and addiction are associated with several factors, one of which is parenting style. “It is important that parents try to follow the contents and provide guidance so that their children can use social networks within limits and in a healthy way”, advises the psychologist. “You need to raise awareness, but always explain the reasons, and not just ban or be overly strict. This doesn’t work.”
Additionally, promoting family activities and encouraging other extracurricular interests can help protect against the risks of excessive screen time. “If teenagers are inactive, they will find something to occupy their time. Social networks present a parallel world of pleasant things, and excessive exposure to screens can also be addictive,” recalls the expert.
It is currently known that e-cigarettes are associated with diseases and risks similar to those of regular cigarettes, such as asthma and pulmonary emphysema. It can also cause acute injury to the lungs, and its use can cause changes in blood vessels that increase cardiovascular risk. The famous vapor also contains carcinogenic substances.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
