Vaping: Why Non-Smokers Are Taking Up Vaping
BBC News explores the growing trend of non-smokers, particularly young adults, adopting vaping as a habit.
Vapes as a Comfort Mechanism
Gracey Mungulu, a 21-year-old hairdresser and student, recalls her initial aversion to vaping but how it eventually became a common practice among her peers. She now uses a refillable vape daily, primarily as a coping mechanism for social anxiety.*
"The more you see it, the more you start trying it a bit more... eventually I just got used to it and I was just doing it all the time."
The Addictive Nature of Nicotine
Vaping involves inhaling nicotine, a highly addictive substance. While vaping is considered less harmful than smoking cigarettes, the long-term health effects remain unclear.
Habit Formation and Mindless Action
Gracey describes vaping as a "mindless action," often occurring without conscious thought. She frequently vapes while engaging in other activities, such as scrolling through social media.
Psychological Dependence
Dr Helen Wall, a GP, observes that vaping has become a means for some individuals to regulate their emotions, leading to a psychological dependence.
Vaping and Doomscrolling
Malin Andersson, a former Love Island contestant, attributes her vaping habit to stress and doomscrolling during a difficult breakup. She believes the physical action of vaping provided a dopamine hit, numbing her senses and hindering her motivation.
"It's a dopamine hit... it's literally an adult's version of a dummy."
Breaking the Habit
Malin successfully quit vaping in May, noting that the constant presence of her vape in her hand grew increasingly annoying. She observes improvements in her mental and physical health since quitting.
A Growing Trend
According to Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey data, over one million people in the UK who have never smoked now vape. This trend is most prominent among individuals aged 25-34.