By Noor Akar
KUWAIT: Have you ever glanced at your phone, only to be struck by the sight of a group of teenagers casually vaping, clouds of vapor swirling around them as if it’s the most normal thing in the world? In Kuwait, this scene has become increasingly common. Vaping is a trendy pastime among the youth, but they are not aware that smoking is a serious issue that could threaten not only their lives but also the well-being of future generations. But what’s the reason that is driving them to use this device with different flavors?
Why are teens drawn to it?
Teenage vaping in Kuwait is increasing as a result of a combination of social pressures, cultural influences, and accepted standards. Some teenagers are seeking attention; they want people to pay attention to what they do. They see themselves as "cool people.” It could also be the curiosity about what smoking vapes looks like. Kossai Assad, a 17-year-old student in high school, stated, "It all started with me and my friends. We were discussing things that we wanted to try. One of our friends was joking and said something about trying vaping for the first time. So the next day, we bought one, and we all shared it, and we felt nothing until it became more than a habit. Every time we hang out, we buy one and share it.”
Maha Ahmad, a 16-year-old student, started vaping while in the university. "The reason was because everyone surrounding me is vaping, but my parents would kill me if they knew about it. So, I am trying to vape when they are not around.” Regarding the risks, Maryam Adnan, 18, was aware of the risks of vaping, saying, "Yes, I’m aware of the risks of vaping as I have read and written many articles about it. I have also watched visual and demonstrative videos to give me more in-depth knowledge on how it damages the lungs.” Khaled Dafar, a 19-year-old university student, was asked if he tried to quit, he stated "I tried to stop smoking but it was not easy to quit. Every time I quit, I get stressed easily.”
The dangerous trend
Most adults, especially non-smokers, are mad when they see teenagers vaping on social media platforms. Kuwait Times spoke with Yousef Odeh, a 37-year-old parent with two kids, to view his opinion on the vaping trend. "Youth these days are lost. All they think about is doing bad things. I will never encourage my kids to smoke,” he said. As for 34-year-old Omar Ali, vaping is a bad habit. "Vaping among teens has become a trend that is spreading rapidly. I think there should be more awareness from the authorities on the risks. Teenagers must also know the seriousness of the issue. It is not a healthy habit,” he added.
Silent danger
Most of the teenagers think that vapes are safer than cigarettes. Vapes contain nicotine and chemicals more than cigarettes, which makes them more dangerous. According to a cardiologist, Hashem Abbas, short-term risks of smoking include breathing problems, recurrent bronchitis, an inability to perform tasks, rapid heartbeat, and poor appetite. Long-term risks include narrowing of the coronary arteries, lung cancer, and poor memory, which may develop into early Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, the arteries in the neck and brain may become narrowed, leading to an early stroke or heart attack at a young age. He advised teenagers to stop smoking. It’s impossible to overlook the alarming trend of teenagers who are starting to vape in Kuwait. Vaping and smoking (in general) present serious risks to the health and wellbeing of young people, even though they may seem like a simple trend.