PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – A growing public health concern is emerging among South Africa’s youth, characterized by the escalating co-use of vaping products and cannabis. The University of Pretoria (UP) is sounding an urgent alarm, calling for coordinated action across various sectors to address what is being described as a “silent storm” brewing among young people. This critical issue will be the focus of an upcoming lecture by Professor Lekan Ayo-Yusuf on October 6, 2025, titled “Youth Vaping and Cannabis Co-use: Policy Failure or Mental Health Crisis?”
The Vaping Epidemic Among South African Youth
Recent studies paint a stark picture of vaping’s prevalence among South African learners. Research indicates that vaping rates are alarmingly high, particularly in high schools, with usage significantly increasing by grade level and peaking among matric (Grade 12) students. A comprehensive study involving over 25,000 learners across 52 schools found that approximately 16.8% of surveyed students currently use e-cigarettes, a figure that rises dramatically in higher grades, with some schools reporting usage rates as high as 46% among final-year students.
Beyond experimentation, a significant portion of these young users exhibit signs of strong nicotine addiction. Nearly half of teen vapers report using their device within an hour of waking, and a substantial number indicate they cannot get through a school day without vaping. The widespread availability of nicotine-containing products, often marketed with appealing flavors and accessible through various online platforms, contributes to this growing dependency.
Cannabis Co-use: A Complex and Trending Challenge
Adding to the complexity is the concurrent rise in cannabis use and its co-use with vaping. Professor Ayo-Yusuf’s research, drawing on recent student and national household surveys, highlights that many young South Africans are not only using these products separately but increasingly together. This trend is often linked to underlying mental health challenges, with a significant percentage of young people reporting that they use vaping and cannabis as coping mechanisms for stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
The adolescent brain, still undergoing critical development until the age of 25, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of both nicotine and THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. Introducing these substances during this period can disrupt brain circuits related to motivation, learning, and emotional regulation, potentially leading to long-term cognitive impairments, increased impulsivity, and a higher risk of developing mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and psychosis.
Policy Gaps Fueling the Crisis
Experts point to significant policy gaps as a major contributing factor to this escalating crisis. The long-awaited Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, intended to regulate e-cigarettes, remains stalled in Parliament, leaving the market largely in a regulatory vacuum. This lack of oversight allows for aggressive marketing tactics, often targeting younger demographics, and contributes to misconceptions about the safety of vaping.
Simultaneously, while South Africa passed the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act in 2024, legalizing cannabis for adult private use, concerns persist regarding its implementation and its effectiveness in preventing youth access or countering the normalization of cannabis use among young people.
An Urgent Call for Coordinated Action
The University of Pretoria’s lecture aims to foster a broader understanding of these interconnected issues and to galvanize a unified response. By bringing together experts, policymakers, and the public, the university seeks to challenge common misconceptions about vaping and cannabis safety and to explore potential solutions. The event will delve into the policy landscape, examine the role of mental health in substance use among youth, and discuss necessary interventions to protect the next generation.
Health professionals and organizations are urging Parliament to expedite the passing of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, emphasizing that regulatory action is crucial to curb the emerging epidemic and mitigate the long-term health consequences for South Africa’s youth. Without decisive, coordinated efforts, the ‘brewing storm’ of vaping and cannabis co-use poses a significant threat to the well-being of a vulnerable population.
