By: Trinity Jackson
The sweet smell of fruit-flavored vapor has become common on many college campuses, including schools across Georgia. What many students see as a stress reliever or social activity has quickly become a growing health concern among young adults.
Health experts say vaping rates among teenagers and college students continue to raise concerns because of the effects nicotine can have on the brain and body. While many students believe vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes, doctors and researchers warn that vaping still carries serious risks, especially for younger users whose brains are still developing.
At colleges like Georgia Southern University, students say vaping has become almost unavoidable in social settings.
“Almost everybody I know has either tried vaping or owns one,” said Inya Waller, a sophomore student at Georgia Southern. “A lot of people start because their friends do it, then it turns into a daily habit.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nicotine can harm parts of the brain responsible for attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. Young adults may also experience increased anxiety, trouble sleeping, and stronger dependence on nicotine over time.
Carol Lumpkin, a public health researcher who studies nicotine addiction in young adults, said many students underestimate how addictive vaping can become.
“Companies market vaping products with appealing flavors and sleek designs that attract younger users,” Lumpkin said. “Many students believe they can quit whenever they want, but nicotine addiction develops much faster than people realize.”
Researchers also say stress plays a major role in vaping among college students. Between classes, jobs, financial pressure, and social expectations, many young adults turn to vaping as a coping mechanism.
“I started during my freshman year because I was stressed,” said Kambre Gillespie, a 20-year-old college student. “At first it was only when my friends had theirs around, but eventually I bought my own and started using it every day.”
A 2024 national health survey found that millions of middle school, high school, and college-age students reported using e-cigarettes regularly. Many health experts worry that the popularity of flavored disposable vapes continues to make nicotine addiction more common among younger generations.
Experts also say social media has helped increase the popularity of vaping. On platforms like TikTok and Instagram, influencers and creators often post content featuring vape products, making them appear trendy or harmless to younger audiences.
“Social media definitely normalized it,” Waller said. “People make it look cool online, so students don’t always think about the health side of it.”
Beyond addiction, researchers are studying the long-term effects vaping may have on the lungs and heart. Some studies suggest vaping can lead to breathing issues, increased heart rate, chest pain, and inflammation in the body. Because vaping products are still relatively new compared to cigarettes, scientists are continuing to research their long-term health consequences.
The American Lung Association warns that many vaping liquids contain harmful chemicals and ultrafine particles that can damage lung tissue. Some products may also contain heavy metals and toxic substances that users inhale directly into their lungs.
Doctors say another major issue is that many disposable vape products contain extremely high amounts of nicotine. Some devices contain as much nicotine as several packs of cigarettes combined.
“Students don’t realize how much nicotine they’re consuming,” Lumpkin said. “That’s why quitting becomes difficult so quickly.”
Some students say vaping has even started affecting their daily routines and school performance. Students who vape regularly may struggle to focus during class or become irritated when they go long periods without nicotine.
“I noticed I was reaching for it all the time,” Gillespie said. “If I forgot it at home, I couldn’t stop thinking about it during the day.”
Health professionals say vaping addiction can also become expensive for college students already dealing with tuition, housing, and other costs. Disposable vape products can cost students hundreds of dollars each month depending on how often they purchase them.
Despite growing awareness about the risks, many students say stopping is not easy.
“I tried to quit a few times,” Gillespie said. “But once your body gets used to nicotine, it’s harder than people think. You feel irritated and stressed without it.”
Some universities and public health organizations have started offering programs to help students quit vaping through counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, and mental health support. Experts say education is one of the most important tools in preventing addiction before it starts.
Lumpkin believes conversations about vaping need to become more realistic and less judgmental.
“A lot of students already know vaping is unhealthy,” she said. “The bigger issue is helping young people understand why they became dependent on it and giving them resources to quit successfully.”
As vaping continues to remain popular among young adults, health experts say awareness, education, and support systems will play a major role in helping reduce nicotine addiction among the next generation.