It’s a hazy morning in Colorado Springs; clouds of smoke fill the air, and one of our 300 days of sunshine is nowhere to be seen. No, the overcast isn’t due to one of our infamous forest fires, but instead due to the infamously growing vape culture. Vaping has become popular among teens in the community and across the country as what some would call a “fad,” others would call a “lifestyle.”

Although the movement has just recently lit up here at AAHS, vaping has actually been around for years. The first electronic cigarette patent was filed in 1963 by a man named Herbert A. Gilbert, using what he called “logic” to create a smoking alternative; in his patent 52 years ago, familiar concepts were created such as flavor cartridges, heating elements, and smokeless flavored air.

As the serious dangers of smoking cigarettes have surfaced, the percentage of cigarette smokers in the U.S. dropped by over 1% between 2011 and 2013. While that number doesn’t sound large, the percentage continues to drop. With the increase in our population weaning off of the addicting habit, safer alternatives are being searched for; hookah, and more specifically, vaping, create outlets for this search. So what is vape? Vape pens and mods are vaporizers, versions of an electronic cigarette, filled with what’s referred to as “E-juice” that is then puffed in and out by holding down a battery powered button. Just because vaping is less harmful than cigarettes doesn’t mean it is without health implications though. Depending on how much nicotine is in the juice, the strength of the effect can vary. As this trend has caught on, many have begun to adopt the “vape life” even in place of smoking marijuana, including kids our age.

Teens and adults alike have jumped on the bandwagon for the E-Cig, but not everyone is a fan of this smoking hot trend. A few Air Academy students, all who have asked to remain anonymous, gave their input on both sides. “I vape because I like the buzz; it relaxes me. I’d rather vape because there’s no smoke, like cigarettes, therefore it doesn’t damage lips, gums, or your tongue like chew, and you get flavor along with your buzz.” Another added: “It keeps me off cigarettes, and it’s a fun social pastime that I enjoy with friends.” A few against it commented: “Vaping doesn’t do anything for me. While the flavors can taste good, it costs way too much money and doesn’t make me feel good like it can for others.” Someone else mentioned: “I don’t find it necessary to do; it’s idiotic.”

Similar subcultures throughout the years have received mirroring hate and controversial reactions relating to vaping, such as the hippie culture filled with the Grateful Dead and LSD. While vape culture has similar chill vibes to Woodstock back in the day,  in comparison, the drugs today are virtually harmless (and that’s probably because vape isn’t really a drug at all.) While the various vaporized air has the option of including nicotine — at levels ranging anywhere between 0 and 24 mg/ml — many of the vape gods Air Academy is #blessed with (all who shall remain unnamed) opt for adding intriguing flavored juices with no nicotine instead (which significantly reduces the negative health impact); some of which include, the Milk Man (strawberries and cream), Permafrost (classic cold mint), and Looper (fruit loops).

So vaping vs. smoking weed: what’s safer, and does the high feel the same? While both can eventually give you a high, vaping can be considered more “mild” because it doesn’t have as immediate of an effect on the body as marijuana does (meaning it takes longer to actually become high), and once high, the impact isn’t as immobilizing, or obvious for that matter. While recreational marijuana is technically illegal to smoke under the age of 21 (even in the state of Colorado), vaping is less restrictive as well; it’s legal to be in possession of a vape pen, so long as the “E-juices” are purchased from someone 18 or older. With that being the case, vaping is actually a much more appropriate alternative to smoking weed or cigarettes, especially if high school students are going to participate in these pastimes.

So whether you’re part of the vape life or not, ultimately, vaping is a much safer alternative to drugs and other substances that can be consumed, particularly for high school students. While the tendencies of teenagers like us have always been present, even since our parents were our age, the forms they take have just been modernly molded, and the rising trend of vaping seems to not be going up in a puff of smoke anytime soon. Whether one chooses to take a dab at it or not,  here in Colorado, it turns out we’re all high anyway…6,035 feet high that is. 😉