TikTok videos are feeding an ‘illicit subculture’ with risks of cancer and dementia, warns doc
TikTok videos feed an 'illicit subculture' with cancer risk: doctor
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118+ best Amazon Prime Day deals, hand-picked and updated live for 2026 HealthTikTok videos are feeding an ‘illicit subculture’ with risks of cancer and dementia, warns doc
By Rachel Sacks Published June 22, 2026, 10:19 a.m. ETSee more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on GoogleTalk about mixed messaging.
Despite the well-documented dangers, videos posted on TikTok have been normalizing illegal vaping among young people, according to new research.
Meanwhile, evidence-based health advice is struggling to cut through the clutter and noise.
While smoking rates have fallen to record lows, vaping has become increasingly common, with an estimated 1.63 million US teens regularly using e-cigarettes in 2024.
Despite claims that it’s a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, multiple studies have found that vaping brings on potential risk of organ failure, heart disease and brain issues like dementia.
Now, a study from the University of East Anglia has found that humorous content about the use of e-cigs portrays them as normal and harmless to young audiences, using hashtags like #noIDvape and #puffbundles.
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The researchers pointed out that while there are plenty of health and educational websites with accurate information, social media content is less regulated and draws in more young viewers.
“These TikTok videos attract significant attention and can feed into an emerging illicit vape subculture, where young people exchange tips, experiences and ways to bypass age restrictions,” Dr. Emma Ward, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said in a press release.
Sellers of e-cigarettes often depict the devices as glamorous or as part of cosmetic bundles to present the habit as more desirable and make it easier to avoid age verification.
“When accurate information is hard to find or feels unappealing, young people may turn instead to content that is more engaging but also more misleading, particularly on fast-growing video platforms like TikTok,” Ward said.
Not only does vaping carry risks of cancer and dementia, but it can also impact fitness levels, mess with one’s ability to breathe and bring on muscle fatigue more easily.
Vaping could also bring about future heart damage, as the practice damages artery walls and prevents them from widening for proper blood flow.
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The sleek devices have been found to expose users to a shocking amount of toxic metals, with some producing more lead in a day’s use than nearly 20 packs of traditional cigarettes.
And the trendy alternative can even change vapers’ genes that are associated with cancer, heart disease and lung conditions.
The American Heart Association has even called the rise in young people using vapes a “serious public health threat,” noting that most still have “highly addictive” nicotine, which can be especially harmful for developing brains.
With uneven information online, health advice struggles to compete with glamorized, engaging social media content, proving worrying to experts.
“The research suggests that legislation alone will not be enough if video-based platforms continue to expose young audiences to unregulated and misleading content,” Ward said.
However, the researchers suggest social media should be embraced to better share public health messaging in a way that’s “not only accurate, but also accessible, engaging and relevant,” according to Ward.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
