Vaping is not a safe alternative – especially for teens, says CANSA

As we approach World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is sounding the alarm: vaping isn’t the harmless alternative it’s made out to be – and it’s young people who are being targeted the most.

This year’s World No Tobacco Day theme, Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing the Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products, couldn’t be more timely. It’s all about lifting the veil on how the tobacco industry – and yes, that includes the vape makers – uses slick marketing, sweet flavours, and techy designs to lure young consumers into a lifelong addiction.

But CANSA isn’t just talking – they’re walking the talk too. On 30 May, a day before World No Tobacco Day, CANSA and the South African Tobacco Free Youth Forum (SATFYF) are hosting youth-led awareness walks in Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, and Johannesburg. The message? Big Tobacco is marketing to kids, and it needs to stop.

If you’re between 13 and 25 and want to be part of the action, you can join one of the walks, which run from 9am to 12pm. Just pop an email to mdlamini@cansa.org.za to get involved.

Marching towards change

These walks aren’t just symbolic – they’re part of a larger movement. After the events, CANSA and SATFYF will hand over a memorandum of demands to parliament. They’re urging the Portfolio Committee on Health to fast-track the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill – a crucial step in tightening regulations on how tobacco and nicotine products are sold, advertised and accessed.

The concern? Delays in passing this bill could give tobacco companies more time to hook a new generation on nicotine.

“In Johannesburg, we’re walking to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa to submit a memorandum aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco-related products,” says Lesego Mateme, Project Coordinator at SATFYF. “In particular, we want to highlight the harmful consequences of allowing the subliminal advertising and promotion of these products through broadcast channels. Such promotions often glamorise the use of vapes and hubbly bubblies, associating them with a luxurious lifestyle and success, which misleads the public—especially young people—about the risks involved.”

So, is vaping really that bad?

Short answer: yes.

“In spite of claims that vaping is a ‘harmless alternative’ to smoking, there is ever-increasing evidence of serious health risks,” warns Minenhle Dlamini, CANSA’s Tobacco Control Programme Coordinator and Social Worker. “These risks include nicotine addiction, lung damage and the increased likelihood of moving onto traditional tobacco products. A new generation of nicotine-dependent individuals is being created with seemingly innocent flavoured vapes and sleek, tech-inspired designs targeting young consumers.”

Let’s talk stats. A 2023 South African study* of over 25 000 high school students found that:

• 16.83% were current vape users
• 36.71% had vaped before
• 47% of current users vaped within the first hour of waking – a strong sign of addiction

Worryingly, wealth didn’t seem to play a role – kids in schools across all income brackets were affected.

The loopholes they’re exploiting

Right now, South Africa’s laws don’t do much to regulate vaping. That means:

• Vape shops and online retailers rarely verify age
• Flavoured products that appeal to children are still widely available
• Tobacco products are being sold within walking distance of schools – often at eye level for children

The 2023 Big Tobacco, Tiny Targets report** by SATFYF found 409 tobacco product sales points within 300 metres of schools in cities like Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria. Nearly half of these were spaza shops and corner stores. And 68.2% of them displayed products at children’s eye level.

What CANSA wants

CANSA isn’t just warning people – they’ve got a five-step plan to protect our youth:

1. Stronger regulations: Speed up the Tobacco Control Bill, ban kid-friendly flavours, crack down on ads, and enforce age checks.
2. Education and awareness: Parents, schools and communities must work together to educate teens on the real risks of vaping – including its impact on brain development.
3. Social media accountability: Ban or restrict paid influencer promos that make vaping look cool or harmless.
4. Hold tobacco companies accountable: Tax vapes heavily to make them less affordable for young people.
5. Support quitting: Young people struggling with nicotine addiction should have access to support, counselling, and effective quitting tools.

And yes, CANSA offers a free online stop-smoking programme – complete with mentorship, guidance and practical tips to help people ditch the habit for good.

The bottom line?

Vaping isn’t harmless – especially not for teenagers. And while fruity flavours, pastel packaging and TikTok trends might make it look innocent, the health risks are very real.

It’s time to unmask the tactics and protect the next generation from getting hooked.

Source: Van Zyl-Smit, R. N., Filby, S., et al. “Electronic cigarette usage amongst high school students in South Africa: a mixed methods approach.” eClinicalMedicine, 2024.

Source: South African Tobacco Free Youth Forum, Big Tobacco, Tiny Targets South Africa 2023 Fact Sheet, accessed May 2025. SATFYF.org.za