One in Three Chilean Teens Have Tried Vapes as E-Cigarettes
Chile’s Ministry of Health has issued a public health alert after a national survey of over 7,000 students aged 13 to 15 revealed that 32.9% have tried nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. This shift marks a critical point in the country’s public health landscape, as active youth vaping now outpaces traditional smoking.
Health Minister May Chomali explained that minors continue to access these regulated devices due to weak penalties for retailers and a low public perception of the risks. Active monthly vape use among adolescents reached 14.8%, while current traditional cigarette smokers fell to 9.3%.
Health professionals warn that e-cigarettes pose severe risks to developing lungs. Dr. Carolina Herrera, former president of the Chilean Society of Respiratory Diseases, noted that vape aerosols contain toxic chemicals rather than harmless water vapor. Some devices deliver nicotine concentrations equivalent to 15 packs of traditional cigarettes.
Juan Carlos RÃos, executive director of CITUC, warned that starting with vapes makes teens ten times more likely to become future smokers. He highlighted that these devices contain highly addictive nicotine, neurotoxic solvents, and heavy metals that can impair cognitive development.
The crisis also affects younger children. Accidental vape-related poisonings in infants and children under five have surged by 400%, with several cases requiring intensive care hospitalization. Despite current laws banning sales to minors, 33.1% of surveyed teens reported buying tobacco products from kiosks, supermarkets, or shops without facing age verification.
- Source: Alerta por vapeo: 1 de cada 3 adolescentes ya probó un vaper y supera al cigarrillo en escolares
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