Important to note, our brain only stops to develop around the age of 25. So, in teens, the young brain that regulates emotions and cognition are still developing and maturing. The continuous and long-term use of vape, exposes the young person’s developing brain to long term nicotine leading to major consequences such as deterioration in cognitive functioning, difficulties with focus, poor attention span and impulsive control. It also impacts the young person’s memory and how they learn and practice new skills.

Several studies have reviewed existing literature and consistently found that vape played a vital role in social maladjustments in adolescents including poor learning and academic performance, increased aggressive and impulse behaviour, poor sleep hygiene, attentions deficits, memory and cognitive impairment and increased stress, depression, and suicidal ideation. Paradoxically, one of the most common reasons that many youths continue to vape was attributed to coping with existing mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression (Becker et al., 2021). While in fact, studies have shown that vaping was associated with 2.5 times of having a diagnosis of depression with higher depressive symptoms a year later as compared non-users.

Thus, one may ask – which came first? The mental health issues that led to vaping or was it the vaping that led to mental health issues. A typical chicken and egg argument. Nonetheless, whichever it may be, one thing is clear. Vape causes detrimental impact on teenagers not only physical, but also on their mental wellbeing. It is utmost important to not only prevent teens from vaping but to also help and support those who are addicted to quit as soon as possible.  It is critical to break the addiction to nicotine and to prevent further health risks related to nicotine use. If addiction to vaping is addressed early on, it could produce positive impact on multiple aspects on a teen’s overall wellbeing – physically, emotionally, and socially.