Today I saw something that really broke my heart. I saw two teenagers with a woman who had two babies. I wasn't completely sure who the babies belonged to, but I think they were the woman's, because one of the babies called her “mommy.”

At one point, the woman asked one of the teens to watch one of the babies while she went to check something, possibly bus details. While the girl was holding the baby, she was vaping. What bothered me the most was that the baby was right in front of his face while vaping and the vapor was going directly towards the baby. The woman saw the teenager smoking but nothing was said or done.

The girl even made videos of herself vaping while the baby was so close. Seeing this made me feel extremely uncomfortable. I wanted to ask her to please stay away from the baby, but I didn't. He wasn't sure how the lady would react when he returned and there were people watching, but he still wanted to say something honestly.

It made me wonder how children and teenagers reach a point where smoking becomes so normal at such a young age, and how some adults seem to accept it without concern, even in public spaces and around babies. I'm not saying smoking is good in any situation, but seeing him do it so casually and so close to a baby was deeply disturbing.

When that teen was vaping directly near the baby's face, she wasn't just creating a plume of flavored air; it was releasing a cocktail of chemicals directly into the developing respiratory system of the most vulnerable person.

Immediate effects on a baby:

• Respiratory difficulty: A baby's lungs are small and still developing. The ultrafine particles, heavy metals (such as nickel, tin, and lead), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in vaping aerosol can cause immediate irritation and inflammation. This can trigger or worsen asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections.

• Nicotine exposure: Vaporizers contain high levels of nicotine. Even passive inhalation of the aerosol causes nicotine absorption. For a baby, nicotine is a potent neurotoxin that affects their developing brain.

• Increased risk of SIDS: Exposure to secondhand smoke or aerosols has been linked to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Long-term effects on a child:

• Lung damage: Constant exposure can lead to chronic lung diseases and reduced lung function later in life. Basically, they start life with a disability in their respiratory system.

• Neurodevelopmental problems: Exposure to nicotine early in life can cause lasting problems in brain development, which could affect attention, learning, and impulse control.

• The path of addiction: This is incredibly disturbing. The baby's body absorbs nicotine (a highly addictive substance) through passive exposure. Although they do not choose to smoke, their body is physiologically prepared for addiction. In theory, this early, involuntary exposure could lower the threshold for themselves to become smokers or vapers later in life, a truly cruel start.

This is not an “oops” moment. It is a fundamental failure to protect a child. The world is already full of toxic substances, from pollution to plastics, why would a parent or guardian actively choose to add more toxins directly to their child's breathing space? It is absolutely unforgivable.

Why teenagers think it's “cool”

The image of the teenager recording herself while smoking perfectly illustrates part of the problem. Why do teenagers start vaping?

• The “cool” factor: Vaping companies, despite regulations, use marketing that appeals to young people, from fun flavors (like “Gummy Bear” or “Strawberry Milk”) to sleek, technological devices. It is often presented as a rebellious, sophisticated or modern alternative to traditional smoking, a way to fit in or appear edgy on social media.

• Disinformation: There is a widespread but dangerous belief that vaping is “just water vapor” or “harmless.” This misinformation, often spread among peers, dismisses real chemical dangers.

• Stress and anxiety: Some teens use it as a coping mechanism, confusing the rush of nicotine with relaxation either stress relief.

• Accessibility: Vaporizers are typically easier to obtain and conceal than cigarettes, making them a more accessible vice.

The truth is that vaping is not okay. It is a path of addiction disguised as flavored air.

The “stupid act” of vaping in older people