A generation of teens is growing up with easy access to vapes and experts warn that a health crisis is imminent.

According to a 2024 study by the University of Cape Town (UCT), which surveyed around 25 000 pupils across 52 schools, 16.8% of pupils identified as vapers. Almost 47% of these admitted to using a vape within an hour of waking up and experiencing withdrawal symptoms if they did not.

Vaping prevalence increased with grade level, reaching almost 30% among Grade 12 pupils, and as high as 46% in some schools. This contrasts starkly with significantly lower reported rates of tobacco cigarette use (2%), cannabis use (5%) and hookah pipe use (3%).

According to Professor Richard van Zyl-Smit, a pulmonologist, UCT academic and leading expert in tobacco and vaping research at Groote Schuur Hospital, the findings highlight the highly addictive nature of vaping products.

“Nicotine use during adolescence can harm the developing brain, with potential long-term effects on learning, memory and attention,” he said.

Rex Hunt, founder of Against Drugs and Child Abuse, an addiction and recovery centre in Umhlali, warned that vaping is a growing addiction on the North Coast.

“The hardest addiction to break is smoking and there is a feeling of ‘I can vape to give up cigarettes’ among people,” he said.

“Teens in particular do no understand or want to believe the dangers. We need the buy-in of parents to make a difference.”

Hunt said he had heard of children as young as six being found with vapes that were disposed of by their older siblings or parents.

One local high school pupil, speaking to the Courier anonymously, said vaping was commonplace among his friend group.

“I don’t even get head rushes anymore because I vape so much,” he said.

Hunt said he hoped that the proposed Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill would expand smoke-free zones to include vaping alongside cigarettes and other common smoking methods.

The Bill also seeks to legislate plain packaging of vaping products and aims to ban their display at points of sale.

However, the legislation has not yet completed the parliamentary process, with further committee deliberations and a possible review by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) still required before it can be signed into law.

What young ‘choofers’ have to say

Boy – 18 (Ballito)

How old were you when you started vaping?

“I started vaping at 14. I like all the flavours and how it tastes.”

Where do you purchase your vapes?

“I buy them from Pick ‘n Pay, Checkers and a CBD shop. I spend about R100-R300 at a time.”

How often do you repurchase a vape?

“I purchase a new vape every 1-2 months.”

Girl – 15 (Ballito)

What percentage of nicotine do you prefer?

“I prefer 5%-10% nicotine and I like the fruity flavours.”

When do you vape?

“At school, me and my friends vape in the bathrooms at break, but at home I vape whenever I feel like it.”

What happens if you get caught vaping on school campus?

“The vape is confiscated. The school also informs our parents about what happened and you get a detention. If you are caught more than once you can get suspended or expelled from school.”

Boy – 16 (Umhlanga)

Do your parents know you vape?

“No, I have to keep it hidden.”

Have you ever been asked for an ID when trying to purchase a vape?

“No, most cashiers don’t really care.”

Where do you buy your vapes?

“I buy them on UberEats or my older brother will buy them for me.”

Girl – 17 (Ballito)

Do your parents know you vape?

“No, I’d be grounded if they found out.”

What do you do with your vapes when they get finished?

“I keep them all in a box hidden under my bed.”

Why do you vape?

“It used to help me calm down my anxiety, but now I just can’t quit.”

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