GENERAL NEWS - The Western Cape DA is calling on the national Department of Health to proactively develop and implement stronger regulations regarding the use of e-cigarettes among youth, particularly those aged 14 to 18.

The party says a study piloted in 2024 by health professionals revealed a concerning trend: while traditional cigarette use remains low, vaping is on the rise among teenagers in schools in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

Earlier this month, the ongoing study highlighted that 17% of youth in this age group are using vapes, 38% of them vaping daily.

Even more alarming is the finding that 88% of participants use products that contain nicotine when the common perception is that vaping is a method used to quit using nicotine.

MPP Memory Booysen has submitted parliamentary questions to the provincial Minister for Health and Wellness in the Western Cape, Mireille Wenger to identify key areas of concern within the province.

Booysen is the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Health and Wellness in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.   

Once this data is made available, he will call on the national Department of Health to brief the standing committee in order to further address and unpack these issues.

Booysen says while the long-term effects of vaping are still being researched, current findings suggest that the toxins released through e-cigarette use may negatively impact both physical health and cognitive development. 

“It is therefore critical that we engage on this issue with urgency and provide youth with evidence-based information that enables them to make informed decisions. With the spread of misinformation - especially among young people, we require a proactive response." 

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