The Western Cape DA is calling on the national Department of Health to proactively develop and implement stronger regulations regarding e-cigarette use among youth, particularly those aged 14 to 18.

George Herald reports that a study piloted in 2024 by health professionals revealed a concerning trend: While traditional cigarette use remains low, vaping is on the rise among teenagers in schools across Gauteng, KZN and the Western Cape.

Earlier this month, the ongoing study highlighted that 17% of youth in this age group are using vapes, with 38% of them vaping daily.

Even more alarming is the finding that 88% of participants use products containing nicotine, despite the common perception that vaping helps users quit nicotine.

MPP Memory Booysen, the chairperson of the standing committee on health and wellness in the Western Cape Parliament, has submitted parliamentary questions to the provincial Minister for Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger to identify key areas of concern within the province.

Once the data is made available, Booysen will call on the national Department of Health to brief the standing committee to further address and unpack these issues.

Booysen says that while the long-term effects of vaping are still being researched, current findings suggest toxins released through e-cigarette use may negatively affect both physical health and cognitive development.

“It is therefore critical that we engage on this issue with urgency and provide youth with evidence-based information that enables them to make informed decisions. With the spread of misinformation — especially among young people, we require a proactive response.”

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