Puffs: Sweet, trendy high-tech gadget or discreet poison? 😶‍🌫️

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From taxis and schoolyards to snack bars glowing under fluorescent lights, a small, colorful device has quietly slipped into daily life: the puff. At first glance, it looks harmless—almost playful. But behind its minimalist design lies a simplified e-cigarette technology that’s proving dangerously effective at winning over young users. In Cameroon, opinions are split. Some celebrate the convenience and slick design. Others are alarmed by its growing popularity among teens.

Designed for instant gratification ⚙️

Puffs don’t look like typical cigarettes. In fact, they’re often mistaken for lipsticks, USB drives, or AirPods cases. There are no buttons, no screens. Inside, a lithium battery powers a tiny circuit board. One inhale activates a heating coil that vaporizes a flavored liquid—everything from icy mango and red berries to cola-mint.

Once the device runs out—usually after 200 to 600 puffs, depending on the model—it’s tossed. No charging. No refilling. Just replace and repeat.

These disposable vapes aren’t just simple—they’re stylish. Pastel colors, compact designs, sugary scents. Every detail feels crafted to appeal to a younger audience. But behind the trendy aesthetic is a major environmental concern: every discarded puff is essentially an untreated lithium battery thrown into the trash. It’s fast, sleek, and disposable tech—raising real questions about sustainability.

What Cameroonians are saying 🗣️

As puffs grow more visible in public spaces, we spoke with Cameroonians from all walks of life—users, parents, educators, and health professionals—to hear what they really think.

Some users see them as a cleaner, more modern alternative to cigarettes.

“I use them when I go out—mostly for the smell and the style. It’s cleaner than a regular cigarette. Everyone has their own tastes and little fantasies,” says Yannick, a young office worker.

But others see them as a clear danger—especially to kids.

“They look like candy. They smell good. But they’re a gateway. We don’t even know what kids are inhaling. It’s like people are inventing new tech just to harm humanity,” says Élise, a concerned mother.

At schools, staff are witnessing the trend firsthand—and sounding the alarm.

“Ever since these puffs took off, we’ve caught kids as young as 12 or 13 using them in secret. The flavors draw them in. It’s tiny and trendy, so they hide it easily. We find them all the time during bag checks,” reports a vice principal at a private school.

Health professionals are starting to notice the consequences, too.

“Teenagers are showing up with headaches, a persistent cough, dizziness—and often, it’s linked to these devices. They think they’re harmless, but they’re not,” warns Carole, a nurse.

Confusion in public spaces 🤔

Because puffs are so discreet, they’re often hard to spot—or mistaken for everyday items.

“It looks like lip gloss or a pen. I’ve confiscated puffs thinking they were school supplies—until a student blew out a cloud of fruity vapor mid-class,” recalls a high school teacher.

Others point to a lack of regulation as a core issue.

“There are no clear rules. You can buy these things anywhere—even outside schools. We need better oversight,” says Pierre, a pharmacist.

And what about non-smokers? 🚫

For those who don’t vape, the rise of puffs is frustrating—and sometimes invasive.

“People say it’s less harmful. But I don’t want to breathe in someone’s fake strawberry cloud in a taxi. It’s just another form of second-hand smoke,” says Mireille, a shopkeeper.

Some are uncomfortable with how normalized the behavior has become.

“Back in the day, smokers hid what they were doing. Now it’s all about showing off the puff like it’s some kind of fashion accessory. We’re glamorizing something that’s still harmful,” says Fabrice, a civil servant.

So what now? 🧩

For many, puffs represent a growing health, education, and environmental challenge. While some countries have moved to restrict or even ban them outright, Cameroon is still in a wait-and-see phase. Meanwhile, the market keeps growing—and users are getting younger.

This small, colorful device—fun, techy, and highly addictive—has carved out a place on Cameroonian streets. But behind every cloud of sweet-smelling vapor, a quiet battle is unfolding: innovation versus awareness..

What do you think?
Are puffs just a harmless trend—or a silent threat hiding in plain sight? Let us know in the comments.