Earth Day SOS: Vaping’s Environmental & Human Rights Crisis

The growing popularity of electronic cigarettes (“e-cigarettes’’) and vaping in recent years has raised concerns about their implications on human rights and the environment. While vaping nicotine and THC has its own health and addiction risks,¹ recent studies have brought to light the health risks² as well as the moral and environmental consequences of this quickly expanding industry. This article explores the environmental and human rights impact of vaping, focusing on how young people are increasingly avoiding vapes due to concerns about metals, plastic waste and human rights violations.

One major environmental justice concern is the amount of waste that vaping produces. Complex parts of e-cigarettes and vape devices include metal heating elements, plastic cartridges and batteries. Electronic garbage, or “e-waste,” is an issue that is exacerbated by improper disposal methods. This debris frequently ends up in landfills where hazardous materials leak into the ground and water, posing dire threats to both the environment and public health.³

Moreover, the manufacturing process of e-cigarettes involves the extraction and processing of metals such as lithium and nickel, integral to battery composition.⁴ Communities living close to mining sites are disproportionately affected by the environmental degradation caused by the extraction of these metals; often marginalized communities are bearing the brunt of such industrial activities.

Surprisingly, a shift in perception has emerged among youth, despite initial marketing campaigns targeting this demographic. An increasing number of young individuals are opting to abstain from vaping, motivated not solely by health concerns but also by a growing awareness of its environmental impact.⁵ Disposable vape pens and cartridges, a symbol of a disposable culture that harms the environment, have inspired young activists through campaigns such as Fridays for Future. They acknowledge the urgency of tackling the environmental effects of vaping and support sustainable alternatives as well as appropriate disposal methods. 

Beyond environmental concerns, the vaping industry has been implicated in human rights violations. There have been reports exposing labor abuses at significant centers for the vaping industry’s manufacturing. Workers who assemble the components of e-cigarettes face health concerns due to exposure to dangerous ingredients, typically working in low-wage and precarious situations. Concerns about child labor in the supply chains for vape devices also create moral conundrums for the whole manufacturing process.⁶ An additional layer to the complex web of ethical issues surrounding the vaping industry is the exploitation of disadvantaged groups in the name of profit.

In a widely circulated video garnering 1.8 million views, content creator @itskristinamf on TikTok delivered a powerful message that resonated deeply. She revealed a stunning insight, admitting that the wider global consequence of her decision to stop vaping was just as important as her own health. She emphasized the relationship between the continuing situation in Congo and the usage of cobalt in vape devices, while also considering the ramifications for the environment and humanitarian efforts. In light of the silent tragedy taking place in the Congo, she urged viewers to reevaluate their stance on vaping by highlighting the sharp contrast between personal indulgence and global duty. As she aptly put it, “If you look at what is going on in Congo right now and then look at your vape, you will never see it the same again.” This poignant testimony serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of individual actions and global consequences, compelling us to confront the environmental and ethical dimensions of our choices. 

(Heads up! The following video contains explicit language.)

@itskristinamf #freecongo ♬ original sound – Krizztina

As we reflect on Earth Day, let us recognize that addressing the environmental impact of vaping is not just a matter of personal health but a crucial step towards fulfilling our collective responsibility to safeguard our planet for future generations.

Do you know a child or teen that is vaping? Go to mylifemyquit.com or tobaccofreekids.org to get more information. 

For adults, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. 

1. 5 Vaping Facts You Need to Know https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping#:~:text=%E2%80%9CEmerging%20data%20suggests%20links%20to,that%20are%20probably%20not%20safe.%E2%80%9D ↩︎
2.  Vapes: product page – The Real Cost. (n.d.). Therealcost.betobaccofree.hhs.gov. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://therealcost.betobaccofree.hhs.gov/vapes?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwh4-wBhB3EiwAeJsppIITybVISKG0NNrw3eO6tl3CrinJ09jMSgd2EjdjCZKdGs21SwuHRBoCxp4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds ↩︎
3. McFarling, M. (2022, August 31). The Environmental Impacts of Vaping that the Tobacco Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know. The Association for Nonsmokers-Minnesota. https://www.ansrmn.org/the-environmental-impacts-of-vaping-that-the-tobacco-industry-doesnt-want-you-to-know/
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4. Broadfoot, M. (2022, February). E-cigarettes expose users to toxic metals such as arsenic, lead (Environmental Factor, February 2022). National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. https://factor.niehs.nih.gov/2022/2/feature/3-feature-e-cigarettes-and-toxic-metals ↩︎
5. Ta, A. (2023, November 22). People on TikTok Are Quitting Vaping to Protest Child Labor in Congo. Vice. https://www.vice.com/en/article/4a35qg/people-on-tiktok-are-quitting-vaping-to-protest-child-labor-in-congo
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6.  Amnesty International. (2016, January 19). Exposed: Child labour behind smart phone and electric batteries. Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/01/child-labour-behind-smart-phone-and-electric-car-batteries/
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