Pay attention to these numbers: between 2006 and 2023, Brazil recorded a significant decline in smoking, by almost 40%. On the other hand, we are seeing an increase in the use of electronic cigarettes (vapes), particularly among adolescents. Data from 2025 shows that 11.4% of young people have already tried vaping, a higher percentage than among adults (8.8%), according to the 3rd edition of the National Survey on Alcohol and Drugs (Lenad). The high point goes to girls between 14 and 18 years old: almost 10% of them have tried electronic cigarettes in the last year, compared to 7.7% of boys.
The silent epidemic of electronic devices among young people raises a concern: the risk of a new wave of strong nicotine addiction, with all its serious health consequences, even more serious than those caused by traditional cigarettes. Beyond the harms, shouldn’t we also wonder why these young people are turning to vaping? The search for answers is crucial to create public policies that help protect adolescents and, above all, to guide parents in dialogue with their children.
One of the reasons related to consumption is the social factor. Many boys and girls associate vaping with status and popularity, something we’ve seen happen with cigarettes in the past. Pressure from friends and the desire to be accepted into the group are powerful motivators.
Another issue to highlight is the belief that e-cigarettes are not harmful to health or addictive, especially if they taste good (and there are more than 16,000 of them!), according to a 2021 study. Misinformation that devices that produce no smoke or odor are less harmful to health may contribute to high levels of addiction. As an illustration, a North American study published this year reveals that between 2020 and 2024, the percentage of young people who tried to stop using, but who did not succeed, increased from 28.2% to 53%. This shows how difficult it is to give up vaping.
New generations of electronic cigarettes could even contain even higher concentrations and volumes of nicotine than previous versions. And nicotine has enormous addictive power. It is essential to clarify: there is no product which, when burned and/or inhaled through the mouth, is safe.
Another reason to seek out a vape is something we often see in people who abuse alcohol: using the product as a crutch to deal with certain life problems. In the case of adolescents, to relax and relieve tension and anxiety, according to a 2024 study. And something that attracts attention: the difficulty of managing boredom. Adolescent experts have addressed this topic, attributing to excessive screen use not only the exponential increase in anxiety, but also the low ability to tolerate boredom.
The most worrying aspect is the use of vaping as a tool to improve performance and status among friends. And this is where the great paradox lies: the search for better performance is in reality a subtle destruction of cognitive abilities, the most precious asset when we think about the future of these young people. Nicotine attacks the areas of the brain responsible for planning and decision-making, which mature around age 25. Early exposure to nicotine can lead to impairments such as decreased attention and memory ability, among others. In seeking to be “cool,” they undermine the biological foundations of their own success.
The fight against vaping cannot be won on the basis of fear alone, but on understanding the social and emotional functions it serves for young people. What young people may need are internal tools to face the challenges of today’s world, not “chemical crutches.”
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