I would like to thank The Witness for publishing the article: “Vaping could lead to diabetes, Johns Hopkins researchers find. (March 18).
The increased use of e-cigarettes, vape pens and tobacco products by teenagers and young adults is also a matter of great concern to all schools and learning institutions.
Schools and parents/guardians need to engage with the youth about the dangerous impact of using tobacco products including e-cigarettes.
READ | Growing e-cigarette market may not be deterred by smoking taxes
According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, vaping is not harmless as there is still a risk of being exposed to other harmful chemicals, including nicotine. The harmful effects and risks of nicotine and dangers of addiction and second-hand smoke are well known.
As a community, we need to work towards changing the mindsets about e-cigarettes and not live with the mistaken belief that it is not really smoking.
Children and young people are more likely to view smoking and vaping as socially acceptable when they regularly see other people, especially their parents, doing it.
Parents are humbly requested to avoid the role modelling of smoking, vaping, vulgarity, abusive and rude behaviours around their bright and lovely impressionable children.
We must build on the research done and lessons learnt from the harms of tobacco smoking, and do everything in our power to inform fellow human beings of the dangers of e-cigarettes in order to prevent unnecessary loss of human life.
MOHAMED SAEED
Pietermaritzburg
