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Gabriel Torres

Professor P. Mirchandani

ENC 1101

February 26, 2024

Research Proposal

The Impact of Vaping in Panamanian Teenagers (13-19 Years Old).

Research Question: How does the act of vaping among Panamanian teenagers from 13 to

19 years old influence their health, attitudes and behaviors?

In the past years, it has been noticed the act of vaping taken by adolescents in

Panama from the ages of 13 to 19 years old. It is an actual problem in the Panamanian

society, in which, a lot of teenagers has been involved in either because of a “trend”/

acceptation of a group of people or because of different personal or family problems that

led them to think about vaping as an escape of their reality or a way to relief themselves.

Nowadays, between the “teens”, vaping has been considered as something normal, casual

fun, etc.

Martinelli, Katherine. "Teen Vaping: What You Need to Know." Child Mind Institute, 6

Nov. 2023, “Teen Vaping: What You Need to Know”

This article discusses the rapid increase in vaping rates among teenagers,

particularly focusing on the popularity of products like JUUL. It highlights concerns about

the addictive nature of vaping due to high nicotine content, the health risks associated with

vaping, including lung irritation and potential links to lung illness and deaths, and the

challenges faced by parents and educators in addressing this trend. It also emphasizes the

need for education and open dialogue between parents and teens about the risks of vaping,
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as well as the importance of schools taking proactive measures to address vaping among

students. Additionally, it offers insights into how parents can approach conversations with

their children about vaping and provides a real-life example of a parent's experience with

their child's vaping incident.

Ebbert, Jon Dr. "HEALTH: The Ongoing Dangers of Vaping." Newsroom Panama, 27 Jan.

2019, newsroompanama.com/nicortine/health-the-ongoing-dangers-of vaping.

This article delves into the health risks associated with vaping, particularly focusing

on the negative effects of e-cigarettes on teenagers and young adults. It highlights concerns

regarding nicotine addiction, potential long-term alterations in brain chemistry due to

nicotine exposure during brain development, and various short-term negative health

consequences of vaping, including respiratory issues and toxic exposure to substances like

nickel, lead, and formaldehyde. Additionally, the article discusses the lack of consistent

safety standards for e-cigarettes, citing cases of explosions and injuries caused by

malfunctioning devices. It also addresses the misconception that vaping can be an effective

method for quitting smoking, emphasizing that studies have not supported this claim.

REDACCION VT. "El Vapeo En América Latina: Panamá." Vaping Today, 27 Jan. 2022,

thevapingtoday.com/el-vapeo-en-america-latina-panama/.

This article discusses the prevalence of unregulated vaping in Panama, highlighting

health risks and public health challenges. It explores the vaping situation in Panama,

emphasizing the country’s struggle with tobacco consumption. Also talks about the efforts

by civil society organizations like “La Asociación de Reducción de Daños por Tabaquismo

de Panamá (ARDTP)” to advocate for better regulations and consumer rights.

Hospital Paitilla. "Cigarrillos Electrónicos, Una Pandemia Silenciosa." Hospital Paitilla, 30

Mar. 2022, hospitalpaitilla.com/vaping-una-pandemia-silenciosa/.

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The article discusses the health risks associated with electronic cigarettes (e-

cigarettes) and their impact on youth. It explains how e-cigarettes function, the harmful

substances they contain, and the addictive nature of nicotine. Despite claims by the tobacco

industry, non-industry-funded studies have shown that e-cigarettes can lead to addiction,

lung damage, heart disease, and cancer. The article also highlights the prevalence of e-

cigarette use among students in Panama and the increasing use of e-cigarettes for marijuana

consumption.

Michael B. Dr. "Dangers of Vaping for Teens." TopLine MD Alliance, 20 Jun. 2023,

www.toplinemd.com/blog-news/dangers-of-vaping-in-teens/.

The article highlights the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes among teenagers and

emphasizes that they are not safe alternatives to traditional cigarette smoking. It explains

what e-cigarettes are and how they work, including the presence of nicotine and other

chemicals. The harmful effects of vaping, particularly on brain development in children and

adolescents, are discussed, along with the addictive nature of nicotine and the increased risk

of future tobacco use. Additionally, the article mentions the risk of nicotine poisoning and

exposure to other harmful chemicals from vaping devices.

Arellys M. "Cigarrillos Electrónicos Producen Disfunción Eréctil." TVN, 15 Jun. 2023,

tvn-2.com/nacionales/cigarrillos-electronicos-disfuncion-erectil-danos-respiratorios

The article discusses the use of e-cigarettes, which simulates the act of smoking

tobacco. While they may be potentially less harmful than traditional cigarettes, they are not

considered completely safe or risk-free. The Social Security Fund (CSS) confirmed that the

use of vaping devices or electronic cigarettes has been proven to cause respiratory tract

deterioration, lung diseases, and erectile dysfunction in men.

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The prevalence of vaping among Panamanian teenagers aged 13 to 19 is a growing

concern, prompting the need for comprehensive research to understand its impact on their

health, attitudes, and behaviors. Existing literature highlights the rapid increase in vaping

rates among teens, with products like JUUL becoming particularly popular due to concerns

about their addictive nature and associated health risks. Studies indicate that vaping can

lead to nicotine addiction, adversely affecting brain development and increasing the

likelihood of future tobacco use.

Health risks associated with vaping include respiratory issues, exposure to toxic

substances, and potential long-term alterations in brain chemistry. Despite claims that

vaping is a safer alternative to traditional smoking, evidence suggests otherwise, with e-

cigarettes posing similar health risks and even causing nicotine poisoning in some cases.

Additionally, the lack of consistent safety standards for e-cigarettes raises concerns about

device malfunction and injuries.

In Panama, unregulated vaping is prevalent, posing public health challenges and

highlighting the need for better regulations and consumer rights advocacy. Civil society

organizations like the Association for Tobacco Harm Reduction in Panama (ARDTP) are

actively working to address these issues. Furthermore, the confirmation by the Social

Security Fund (CSS) of the negative health effects of vaping, including respiratory tract

deterioration, lung diseases, and erectile dysfunction in men, underscores the urgency of

understanding and mitigating the impact of vaping among Panamanian teenagers.

To address this issue comprehensively, research should explore not only the health

effects of vaping but also its social and behavioral implications among teenagers. By

investigating factors contributing to vaping initiation, patterns of use, and attitudes towards

vaping, researchers can inform evidence-based interventions to prevent and reduce vaping
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among Panamanian youth. Collaborative efforts involving healthcare providers,

policymakers, educators, and community stakeholders are essential to effectively address

the vaping epidemic and protect the health and well-being of Panamanian teenagers.