BY KAHA G – 14 YEARS OLD
My family and I were driving around Toronto, and as I looked around, I noticed something. There are so many vape stores, and they are placed like fast food joints. There may not be as much, but it is ridiculous. In this day and age, vaping is more “trendy,” among high school children than young adults. The worst part is that there are different flavors as if it lessens the damage it conducts on your body and mind. Why have we normalized not only killing ourselves mentally but killing ourselves physically?
People vape for many reasons, like curiosity or seeing online that it’s a “healthier version,” when at the end of the day it kills you just as much as cigarettes do. They cause dangerous problems. I understand that humans aren’t perfect and that we have mental health issues, but e-cigarettes, or any type of substance will not take away that pain because it’s only temporary. You should focus on helping yourself long term instead of short term.
So, if you ever get the need to vape/smoke often or do anything bad for your well-being, acknowledge it and seek the help you need. Whether it be going to a therapist, taking a break from work/school, relying on your loved ones for support, using distractions, etc. And don’t think that change will happen immediately because it definitely won’t. So, celebrate your baby steps toward success. Always remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day.
