The college years are when many of us make the transition from childhood to adulthood. It’s a time when the desire for acceptance and fitting in becomes especially pronounced
This need to belong and find one’s feet in the adult world is one of the reasons students are so susceptible to peer pressure. In the past, this could be being urged to try tobacco, drugs, or alcohol for the first time. Today, we can add vaping to the list.
But just what is the role of peer pressure in fueling the growing vape crisis among young adults? That’s what this article sets out to explore.
Understanding Peer Pressure in College Settings
Peer pressure is something that we are less susceptible to as we grow older and more comfortable in our “own skin.” However, for many of us, the college years are when we try to establish our identities. A process that also happens when we’re already surrounded by new social dynamics.
In other words, the college environment is a perfect storm when it comes to peer pressure. The desire to fit in can lead to behaviors that align with group norms, even when those behaviors may not be in the individual’s best interest. Vaping has become one such norm in many college settings, driven – at least in part – by the influence of peers.
Key aspects of peer pressure in college include:
· Social acceptance: Many students believe that vaping is a way to gain acceptance in social circles, particularly in group settings like parties or dorm hangouts.
· Influence of close friends: Peer groups and close friends can have a significant impact on an individual’s decision to start vaping. The pressure to conform to the group’s behavior often leads students to try vaping, even if they have no prior interest.
· Perceived normalcy: As vaping becomes more common on campuses, it’s often perceived as a normal part of college life. This normalization can make it harder for students to resist the pressure to participate.
Understanding these points is crucial for addressing the role of peer pressure in the rise of vaping among college students.
How Peer Pressure Fuels Vaping Habits
Peer pressure is helping to drive the vaping “craze” among students. This isn’t necessarily in the form of direct pressure, although this is common. Rather, it can be a more subtle “normalization” of the habit such as seeing their widespread use at parties and other social occasions.
Over time, this exposure can create a perception that vaping is not only acceptable but expected within certain social circles.
Key factors include:
· Fear of missing out (FOMO): Students may vape to avoid feeling left out or to participate in what seems like a shared experience.
· Normalization of behavior: As more students vape, the behavior becomes normalized, making it easier for others to justify trying it.
· Reinforcement from social media: Seeing peers vape on social media further amplifies the idea that vaping is trendy or desirable.
These influences create an environment where vaping is perceived as a typical aspect of college life, making it harder for students to resist.
Even a few years ago, vaping wasn’t so prevalent and easily accessible to college students. Temple University Alumni Alex Capozzolo, who graduated from the Fox School of Business in 2015, stated, “Philly is a massive city and Temple is situated right in the heart of North Philadelphia. There are already tons of different pressures to get into as a college kid that aren’t great for you. I’m fortunate that vaping wasn’t very popular when I was in college. I can imagine many students easily start making it a habit.”
The Consequences of Vaping Under Peer Pressure
Once advertised as a safe alternative to smoking, it has become apparent that there are short- and long-term health risks associated with vaping. As far as consequences go, this is the most worrying, but it isn’t the only one:
Key consequences include:
· Health risks: Students may not fully grasp the potential for lung damage, nicotine addiction, and other health concerns linked to vaping. In extreme cases, this can include – e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) a potentially fatal condition. Vaping also exposes users to a range of chemical nasties such as acrolein, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde.
· Academic performance: Nicotine addiction can disrupt concentration and lead to decreased academic performance.
· Long-term habits: Early exposure to vaping can lead to long-term use, making it harder to quit and increasing the likelihood of transitioning to traditional cigarettes.
Vaping is still less harmful than smoking, but it still carries significant health risks and can affect a student’s studies. This is one of the reasons that many universities, including Temple University, include e-cigarettes in tobacco-free policies.
Strategies for Combating Vaping-Related Peer Pressure
Addressing peer pressure related to vaping needs a structured and consistent approach from colleges and student groups. Among the strategies that can play an effective role in this approach are:
· Education and awareness: Providing students with accurate information about the health risks of vaping can help them make informed decisions.
· Supportive environments: Creating spaces where students feel supported in saying no to vaping can reduce the influence of peer pressure.
· Monitoring and prevention: The use of vape detectors in bathrooms, and other common areas, can help deter vaping on campus and reduce its normalization among students.
While vaping is a relatively new challenge, peer pressure has always been a human trait and most campuses already have well-established strategies and peer education processes in place. Many of these existing approaches can be easily adapted to address the vaping trend.
Peering Through the Mist: Peer Pressure and Vaping
Understanding the role of peer pressure in vaping is essential for addressing what is a growing concern among college students. The issue isn’t just a fad; it’s an ongoing trend with long-term consequences that are still not fully understood.
Educators need to allow students to peer through the mist and recognize that vaping isn’t a harmless and cool way to fit in – it is a potentially dangerous habit that has potential consequences on their health and their studies.