Blackmarket vapes are the new schoolyard smoking. Over the past few years, there has been a staggering increase in the rates of teenage vaping. In 2016, approximately 5% of 14 – 17 year olds had tried vaping at least once. This had DOUBLED to 10% within 3 years. By 2022, these figures are anticipated to vastly increase. 

Although smoking rates have declined hugely since 2000 (from approximately 20% to 2% of teenagers experimenting with smoking), blackmarket vaping is fast taking over. Regardless of the harm reduction role of legal, high-quality vaping products for adult ex-smokers, the scourge of blackmarket vapes in our schools is tragic and needs to be stopped.

In 2022 I created a school program called ‘Hidden in plain sight’, which I present to both students and parents. I am passionate about educating teenagers about the real risks of blackmarket vaping – unregulated products with unknown nicotine content, electrical safety hazards, no quality control and unknown levels of harmful contaminants. 

I will continue to educate and advocate for zero teenage vaping, and the abolition of the blackmarket vaping industry. 

If you would like more information about this, please email me at medicalnicotine@gmail.com