Vaping: Is there more to that flavor-filled water vapor?

Kendall Wakester

Vaping is on the rise among young adults. There is the false ideation that it is not harmful, especially compared to smoking tobacco. It is important to recognize that it is in fact physically and mentally harmful, and the nicotine content is typically much higher. It exposes users to toxic chemicals, including lead. Vaping can lead to oral cancer, esophagitis, and “popcorn lung”, all of which can be fatal. Its popularity is soaring not only among young, college-aged adults, but also adolescents. The chemicals in vapor can stunt physical and intellectual development among adolescents. The purpose of this study is to gather information to recognize why vaping is appealing, evaluate the negative effects of vaping, and provide education to prevent the start and encourage cessation of vaping among the community.

• Kendall Wakester is a graduating senior II nursing student at Lander University with minors in chemistry and biology. She works at Greenville Memorial hospital as a student nurse technician and externs at Self Regional in Greenwood. She is a part of the Honors College, LUSNA, and Sigma Theta Tau Honors society. She has volunteered with Camp Courage since 2017 for pediatric oncology patients. Her future career goal is to work in the Pediatric ICU at Columbia’s Children’s Hospital.