Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have brought significant change in the tobacco industry over the last decades by increasing their worldwide usage, especially among the young generation.[1,2] E-cigarettes contain hazardous chemicals such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, nitrosamines, and nicotine which is highly addictive along with variety of flavours such as mint, fruits, or candy, which contribute major role to attract the adolescents towards the tobacco usage and causes many harmful effects to the teenagers pregnant women and developing fetuses.[3-6] Nowadays, e-cigarette flavours are available in the highest quantity, and it’s becoming a point of interest for both current smokers and new smokers, which is a concern for public health.[1] Initially, e-cigarettes were advertised as safe and an alternative to traditional cigarettes, and helped smokers to quit. The idea was to bring a less harmful option compared to traditional cigarettes and help smokers reduce their nicotine intake, also taking a step to completely quit. However, in reality, e-cigarettes have not met these expectations. Instead of providing an effective aid in smoking cessation, it emerges as another category of tobacco products that are contributing to the persistence and expansion of the tobacco epidemic.[7]

The United States (US) is the largest market for e-cigarette consumption and utilization among adolescents, with more than 3.5 million currently using them.[5] Currently, in 88 countries, there is no minimum age limit that has been introduced for their buying, and 74 countries have no definite regulations in place for these harmful products.[8] Additionally, the rapid rise in e-cigarette consumption is due to advertisement via the internet, in grocery stores, in print, and on television (TV), which plays a 1.52 times more significant role in their intake among adolescents for the first time.[5] Using e-cigarettes where smoking is prohibited (e.g., workplaces, public places such as restaurants and bars, and otherwise smoke-free homes) is also one of the reasons for people to use this product.[7]

The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine in January 2018 came to the conclusion that e-cigarettes are harmful and cause health-related illnesses because they both contain and emit a number of potentially toxic substances.[9] The lungs are the primary target organ due to e-cigarette exposure and can cause multiple acute and long-term respiratory illnesses.[1] A survey of approximately 45000 adolescents in Hong Kong found that e-cigarette use in the previous month was associated with increased odds of reporting chronic cough or phlegm.[3] Moreover, e-cigarettes can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, mouth irritation, hypertension, inflammation, oxidative stress, and have serious impacts on memory and attention.[1] They contain certain substances that have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer.[2] Additionally, during pregnancy, e-cigarette use may harm developing fetuses.[2] Its consumption in children and adolescents has many negative effects on brain development, leading to anxiety and learning disorders.[8] However, e-cigarettes do not produce side-stream smoke, but they still pollute the air, providing conclusive evidence that they contribute to indoor air pollution.[7]

Having reasoned the unmitigated risks pertinent to the consumption of e-cigarettes, this issue has emerged as a significant challenge for stakeholders worldwide. A study found that 68 countries regulate e-cigarettes through new, amended, or existing laws. Common policies include age restrictions, indoor vaping bans, and marketing limits, while only a few countries impose taxes on vaping products. Many countries regulate e-cigarettes using laws that were not originally designed for them.[10] In December 2019, Congress passed the Tobacco 21 law, raising the federal minimum age for purchasing e-cigarettes to 21. This law could significantly reduce the use of e-cigarettes.

E-cigarette, Tobacco industry, Nicotine addiction, Hazardous chemicals, Adolescent and youth, Public health concern, Respiratory illness, Legal restriction, Awareness program.

In conclusion, e-cigarettes have emerged as a major public health concern, especially among youth, due to their harmful chemical composition and addictive nature. Initially, marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, they contributed to nicotine addiction and increased tobacco use. The lack of strict regulations in many countries has further fueled their popularity, particularly among adolescents. To address this issue, governments must enforce stricter policies, including sales restrictions, marketing bans, and awareness programs. Raising the minimum age for purchase and implementing indoor vaping bans can help curb their widespread use. Immediate action is necessary to protect public health and prevent the next generation from falling into nicotine dependence.

The authors declare no acknowledgments.

Authors declare that there was no funding for this study.

Corresponding Author:
Karan Chaman Lal
Department of Medicine
Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, Pakistan
Email: karan.chaman12@gmail.com

Co-Author:
Kainat Kousar
Department of Medicine
Bahria University Health Sciences (BUHS), Karachi, Pakistan
Email: kainat.kousar12@gmail.com

Karan Chaman Lal was responsible for conceptualization, original draft preparation, literature review, writing – review, and editing, and final approval. Kainat Kousar contributed to the original draft, literature review, writing – review, and editing, and final approval.

Not applicable

The author declares no conflict of interest.

None

https://doi.org/10.63096/medtigo3062313

Karan CL, Kainat K. The Impact of E-Cigarette on Youth Population. medtigo J Med. 2025;3(1):e3062313. doi:10.63096/medtigo3062313 Crossref