In a recent study by the Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute, e-cigarette consumption is now at an all-time high in the country, especially among the educated youth.
This does not come as a shocker considering that the internet is flooded with images of celebrities and idols using the products. This is further compounded by the fact that they are easily available online and at a very affordable rate.
Manufacturers of e-cigarettes usually create a narrative that they are a safe alternative to smoking regular cigarettes, but new evidence shows that is a dangerous lie.
The repeated though warped argument advanced by the manufacturers and marketers of these products is that they are less lethal than usual cigarettes.
Unfortunately, they still contain toxins and the addictive chemical nicotine, which is harmful to adolescent brain development. Flavoured e-cigarettes are particularly risky, not only because they attract youth, but because their young users are highly likely to be misinformed about the harmfulness of the products.
Fast forward to the Kenyan scenario and the study mentioned above reveals that 53 per cent of the consumers are in the Generation Z bracket while 44 per cent are millennials. Generation Z comprises people born between 1997 and 2012 (ages 11–26) while millennials are those born between 1981 and 1996 (ages 27-42).
This is a clear pointer to the fact that these harmful products have been designed and marketed to appeal to a youthful population meaning that dependence rates will surge in the near future. Assuming an 11-year-old starts using these products, chances of their leading a healthy lifestyle into old age are almost nil.
E-cigarettes create a spray through a battery that heats up liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavourings and other additives. Users inhale this aerosol into their lungs. E-cigarettes can also be used to deliver cannabinoids such as marijuana and other drugs.
Based on the fact that there’s little information regarding the various types and uses of these devices in the public domain in the country, it is possible that young people, including children, are using them for other forms of drug abuse.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration in the United States of America, there exist dry herb vape devices. These ones can heat dry marijuana without combusting it and without using additional liquid. Generally, the vaping device consists of a battery, a cartridge for containing the e-liquid or dry marijuana, and a heating component.
It is quite obvious that nobody can tell the difference just by looking at the two devices and as such what conventional wisdom might be passing off as just e-cigarettes, could just be the ones used for marijuana use.
Scientifically, marijuana use affects attention, memory and learning skills. Students who use marijuana are therefore naturally more likely not to finish school or even advance further in their education, compared with their peers who don’t use marijuana.
Over 60 per cent of the respondents of the Kenyan study revealed that they have a bachelor’s degree and 54 per cent revealed that they have high gross income while 71 per cent live in large cities and aspire to be successful. This clearly demonstrates that those engaging in this activity are well-schooled, knowledgeable and have the means to acquire these products.
The World Health Organisation explains that electronic cigarettes are the most common form of electronic nicotine delivery systems (Ends) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (Ennds) but there are others, such as e-cigars and e-pipes. WHO says Ends and Ennds contain varying amounts of nicotine and harmful emissions.
The global health body points out that e-cigarette emissions typically contain nicotine and other toxic substances that are harmful to both users and non-users exposed to the aerosols second-hand.
Manager Corporate Communications, National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse
