AS a student at Forman Christian College University, I have observed an alarming increase in vaping. This hazardous activity is seen as a status symbol. Recently, while leaving the campus, I witnessed something disturbing. It was a group of people who seemed friends, forcing one person to try vaping, and insisting that he must do that because they had to make a social media post.

It made me realise that social media influence and peer pressure have led many students to vape either for fun or to look cool. The positive and aggressive social media promotion of vape is misleading our youth. Their tactics are appealing designs and flavours. This kind of advertisement awakens a sudden curiosity in a student to try it for fun. As a result, students use vape despite its negative effects since they think it is safe and the greatest substitute for cigarettes.

The bigger problem is the availability of vape near university campuses. I have seen friends isolating themselves from groups, because they do not use vape. Likewise, there are others who adopt it just to remain in their respective groups and be able to socialise.

Moreover, the students should unde- rstand that vaping has serious health hazards. Pakistan is not ready to afford this damage. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), 63 per cent of people in Pakistan are youngsters.

On its part, the government must ban vape shops operating near universities as well as colleges.

On their part, university administra- tions must run awareness-based drives and arrange seminars on campuses about the potential health risks of vaping.

Iqra Nadeem
Lahore

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2024