Youth Falling into Vaping's Deadly Trap Unknowingly
A free anti-drug counseling session organized by Prothom Alo Trust was held online on May 20, 2026, at Prothom Alo's office in Karwan Bazar. Professor Dr. Mohit Kamal, former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, provided consultation during the event. The session's theme was 'E-cigarettes are not an effective or safe alternative to quitting smoking.'
Dr. Kamal identified ignorance and peer pressure as primary reasons for young people engaging in vaping. Many teenagers believe vaping is harmless and merely a recreational activity, often influenced by group settings where peers offer the devices. Disturbingly, reports suggest some unscrupulous individuals are mixing stimulants like Yaba with vaping liquids. This practice is leading young people unknowingly into a dangerous addiction.
This event highlights a critical public health concern where a seemingly innocuous trend, vaping, is being exploited as a gateway to more dangerous substance abuse. The confluence of adolescent curiosity, peer influence, and the deceptive marketing of e-cigarettes creates a fertile ground for addiction. Furthermore, the alleged adulteration of vaping liquids with illicit drugs points to systemic vulnerabilities in regulatory oversight and supply chain control. Addressing this requires a multi-pronged strategy: enhanced public awareness campaigns about the true risks of vaping, stricter regulations on e-cigarette products and their distribution, and robust interventions to counter the influence of peer groups and criminal elements. Future efforts should focus on understanding the evolving landscape of substance abuse among youth and proactively developing countermeasures.
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