The Vape culture in Pakistan is an emerging trend. It is primarily popular among the upper class and bourgeois youth, but it is also prevalent amongst all age groups and ethnicities. A new generation of e-cigarette shops has sprung up across the country, catering to the growing demand for electronic cigarettes. It is common to see trendy youth inhaling vapour from electronic devices, filling the room with fruity smells. However, they are quick to point out that it is vapour and not smoke.
Composition of E-Liquids
Though e-cigarettes have been banned in India and other countries, the Vape Culture in Pakistan market is largely unregulated. The composition of e-liquids is not regulated and there are no limits on the amount of nicotine in them. However, better regulation and research is needed to understand the mental and physical effects of e-cigarette smoking and to better protect the most vulnerable populations.
Effects of E-Cigarettes
While the study was limited to Karachi, further studies are needed to determine the attitudes of the general population toward e-cigarettes. These should be conducted in other areas of Pakistan and compare the effects of e-cigarettes among beginners and experienced users. In addition, it is essential to examine whether people who had initially planned to quit smoking actually ceased smoking. Finally, future studies must also explore the long-term health effects of e-cigarette use.
Cross-Sectional Design
The study used a cross-sectional design, which included convenience sampling and interviewed 441 adolescents aged 13-19. The questionnaire included four-point Likert scales and five-point scales. Questions related to practices focused on single and current use. The data was analyzed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests to compare knowledge and attitudes.
National Youth Tobacco Survey
According to the National Youth Tobacco Survey, e-cigarette use is increasingly prevalent among adolescents. In fact, over one-third of 12th graders reported that they used e-cigarettes. This has increased dramatically since the introduction of pod-based devices.
Online & Offline Options
The Vape Culture in Pakistan has exploded in the past few years. Once only available as a foreign import, Pakistanis now have a variety of online and offline options for buying, vaping, and smoking. In the beginning, the culture of vaping was somewhat murky, as most people confused it with hookah or sheesha, but the vapors have become increasingly popular, and vape shops have opened up all over the country. In addition, many former smokers have jumped on the bandwagon and switched to a healthy vaping lifestyle.
Vaping is a trend that has gained popularity among Pakistan’s youth, and appeals to a wide range of age groups, from young adults to older smokers. A growing number of stores are popping up around the city to meet the demand. Young people can often be seen inhaling vapor from electronic devices, and are quick to point out that this is not smoke.
E-cigarettes aren’t well-regulated in Pakistan. While many stores sell authentic products, it’s possible to find counterfeit ones, too. Some fake e-cigarettes and e-juice brands are manufactured in China, and they are of poor quality. Many fake products are so inexpensive that new vapers are easily tricked into buying them.
Pakistan’s E-Cigarette Market
Pakistan’s e-cigarette market has yet to be regulated, and many e-liquids on the market have not been tested by a public health authority. It’s important to regulate the industry in Pakistan and ensure that e-cigarettes have a standard chemical composition and limit of nicotine. Better regulation will help prevent harm and help vulnerable groups.
The popularity of e-cigarettes has increased dramatically all over the world. This study investigated the perceptions of teenagers in Karachi, Pakistan, regarding the use of e-cigarettes. The results showed that the Vape Culture in Pakistan is not entirely positive. Middle school students in particular were more likely to have negative opinions and think that e-cigarettes are more harmful than conventional cigarettes. The lack of advertising and cultural stigmas has resulted in negative perceptions. Furthermore, the attitudes of males and females were quite different. Patriarchal systems and the lack of advertising were likely to influence their attitudes.
Dangerous Levels of Nicotine
E-cigarettes contain dangerous levels of nicotine, and it is crucial to regulate these products to prevent overdoses. Moreover, the products are not just made from tobacco, but also contain marijuana and loose THC oil. In fact, recent research has found that e-cigarettes increased the adherence of pneumococcal bacteria to airway cells and, in addition, spread more readily between users. In Pakistan, the awareness of these products is largely lacking and many doctors are not aware of the ill effects of using them.
Final Words:
Although the study focused on Karachi teenagers, more studies should be conducted on other regions of Pakistan. It is also necessary to compare the side effects of new and experienced users, as well as the long-term health effects of using e-cigarettes.