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The growing popularity of vaping and smoking
Dear Editor,
As a public communications analyst and advocate for public health and safety, it is increasingly alarming to witness the growing popularity of vaping and smoking, particularly as these behaviours introduce evolving health risks to both users and the wider public. While once promoted as safer alternatives, vaping products have brought new concerns, especially regarding youth uptake and second-hand exposure.
Recent reporting by The Guardian notes that vaping in vehicles carrying anyone under the age of 18 will be banned in England, reflecting a broader international acknowledgment that children must be protected from harmful exposure, even within private or semi-private spaces. Such measures demonstrate a proactive approach to safeguarding vulnerable populations
In Guyana, however, public attitudes toward smoking and vaping appear increasingly relaxed. This is concerning given that Guyana’s Tobacco Control Act of 2017 already enforces strict bans on smoking in indoor public places, workplaces, and public transportation to protect against second-hand smoke. Yet smoking and vaping remain highly visible in daily life, raising questions about enforcement, social responsibility, and public awareness.
Particularly troubling is the normalisation of these behaviours among school-aged teenagers. Reports of students smoking or vaping on their way to and from school, along with the visibility of smoking among some educators, risk sending conflicting messages to young people. When harmful behaviors appear socially acceptable, they are more easily internalised and repeated by the next generation.
At the same time, it is important to acknowledge the broader contradiction within public health policy. Tobacco is legally sold in virtually every country in the world and remains highly accessible and profitable despite decades of clear scientific evidence outlining its dangers. Similarly, while medical cannabis is becoming more accessible due to its therapeutic value, it is still subject to abuse and misuse, including the risk of developing Cannabis Use Disorder, underscoring the need for careful regulation and monitoring
Looking ahead, global policy discussions suggest even stronger measures may be forthcoming. According to the World Economic Forum, the next phase of tobacco control could include bans on smoking in certain outdoor public spaces. This signals a shift toward prioritising collective health over convenience, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Our children are indeed the future, and protecting them from normalised harm must remain a central pillar of public health thinking
Sincerely,
Mr. Blane R Bunbury
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