A ticking time bomb with disastrous effects on the health of children in South Africa.

This was the alarm sounded two years ago by Prof Anthony Westwood, a paediatrician at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, about the prevalence of vaping and e-cigarettes among the country’s youth.

How much worse is the situation today? Caxton Local News is surveying our readers to help answer this question.

Click here if you are willing to share your insights with us.

What the studies say about vaping

Last year, a series of studies assessing local e-cigarette use was published by the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research in co-operation with the University of Pretoria and the South African Medical Research Council. It found that 39% of vape shops in the country are within a 10km radius of a university or college campus and 65.3% within a 20km radius.

The results of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), which surveyed tobacco use by people older than 15 years in South Africa, were released in May. Key findings showed that e-cigarettes are most popular among the 15 to 24 age group. The GATS SA research found that e-cigarette use was highest among people aged between 15 and 24 years, at 3.1%, compared with the overall prevalence of 2.2%.

Then, earlier this month, a study among more than 5 500 high school learners by Prof Richard van Zyl-Smit from the University of Cape Town revealed that three out of 10 learners use their electronic smoking device within an hour of waking up, nearly a quarter cannot get through a school day without vaping, and more than one in four matrics are vaping.

Gateway to other vices

Dr Sharon Nyatsanza, the deputy director of the National Council Against Smoking, told Caxton Local Media that the underage use of e-cigarettes and the high prevalence of vaping among South Africa’s youth is of great concern.

“E-cigarettes are undoubtedly harmful; a growing body of evidence confirms that e-cigarette use is linked to severe health conditions, including cancers, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, chest pains, mouth ulcers, asthma, and a high risk of strokes.

“Young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke regular cigarettes and use other drugs in the future. Seven out of 10 South Africans start smoking before the age of 18. The industry targets this age group and it is important for public health strategies, especially in Africa where we see a youth bulge, to try and stop early initiation.

“It is clear that regulation is needed to protect the health of children and every other person,” said Nyatsanza.

Government prepares to act

It seems that the government is getting tough on smoking, with e-cigarettes and vaping devices facing tighter regulations in the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill that has been submitted to Parliament. When signed into law, it will give Health Minister Joe Phaahla the power to define certain aspects of e-cigarettes and vaping devices, including the content, composition, ingredients, additives, colourants, characterised flavour and emissions of the relevant product.

National Treasury has also proposed an excise tax on vaping products, which is set to take effect early next year.

According to Nyatsanza, the Tobacco Control Bill strikes a much-needed balance, with adults still being able to buy and use e-cigarettes, while more restrictions will be put in place to dissuade the youth from smoking.

“It introduces measures that will have a significant impact on reducing e-cigarette use among children, promoting health, and protecting human rights. The adults can still use e-cigarettes, but the bill also protects them by ensuring they get accurate information and not misleading information or unproven claims about e-cigarettes. The bill also ensures that the rights of non-users to a healthy environment are protected.”

Opposition to the bill

In a statement on its website, the Vapour Products Association of South Africa – which represents manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of smoke-free vapour products – says it strongly opposes the regulation of vaping products alongside traditional cigarettes. It says that ‘vapour products are not the same as combustible tobacco products, and therefore should be regulated separately’ and ‘not doing so will deprive millions of South African adult smokers and nicotine users of a potentially less harmful alternative’.

The association does, however, also state that it ‘stands firm on its commitment to excluding young people from its buyer profile’.

Share your experiences

Several Caxton Local Media employees surveyed say their primary and high school children report that vaping is common at their schools. We would love to broaden this discussion among more parents. If you are keen to participate, click here or email your answers to the questions below to cathy@ctpex.co.za

• Has your child witnessed vaping at school?
• Is he/she in primary or high school?
• Do many of his/her friends vape, either at school or away from school?
• What are the approximate ages of the children who vape?
• What town do you live in?
• Any own comment?

* Please do not include the names of any children or identify them in any way.