Save yourself the trouble: A case against nicotine

written by Savannah Behr

When I heard about the ban on selling tobacco products in Mill Valley, I thought of the many teenagers who are surely upset about it. There isn’t much to say about tobacco that nearly all high school students don’t already know. Smoking, vaping, and nicotine pouches are bad for you; they’re addictive and can cause cancer. I don’t think it’s helpful to reiterate any of that beyond the basics. What I will say, though, as a nearly 22-year-old, is that if you stop using nicotine now, or even better, never start, you’ll be relieved by the time you’re actually legally able to buy it.

I’d say about a quarter of the people I know use nicotine in some form, whether that’s vaping or whatever brand of nicotine pouches they prefer. Cigarettes, too, although they’re less common as a habitual form of use. These approximate numbers are backed by research. I really mean it when I say that every single one of them wishes they hadn’t started. As they get closer to adulthood, they realise they’re in a bad position. They’re starting to see cancer and other health complications as real risks rather than vague concepts in a distant future. They’re also seeing how their weekly gas station trips are draining their bank accounts and how that slight nausea that never goes away might actually be from their 6 mg nicotine pouches.

I’m constantly hearing about friends going a few days without vaping, then feeling disappointed when they cave. Others try to limit their use of Zyns and struggle to stick to it. I promise you, it stops feeling cool, or like having a vape in your hand is comforting, and starts feeling more like you’ve got an issue to deal with. College is hard, and entering your twenties is hard. You don’t want to add something else to deal with. You also don’t want another thing to spend money on, trust me. Sooner or later, nicotine addiction will just become a really difficult problem to deal with, and you’ll wish you’d kicked it sooner.

Quitting might seem impossible, but it isn’t. I used to duck into the bathroom after every class to hit my vape, and now I don’t even crave it when someone’s vaping in front of me. There are effective resources and strategies for anyone who wants to quit. Quitting can be easier when you’re younger, and believe me, the sooner you do it, the happier you’ll be. There are local and national resources for anyone looking to quit. It’s not easy. Most people require several attempts before they are able to quit, but there’s support to help you through.