Wokeness finally persuades Gen Z to quit vaping! ‘No smoke for Congo’ trend spreads on TikTok after people learn that children are exploited in cobalt mines to make the batteries for the devices
Generation Z is finally giving up vaping, but it’s not because of a host of health issues.
Young generations’ love of vaping has sparked global concern, with disposable vapes soon to be banned in the UK under new government plans to prevent children becoming addicted to the devices.
But now, at last, there is a reason compelling enough to prompt socially conscious youth to abruptly refuse to participate—to demonstrate “solidarity” with the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Protesters acknowledged that the DRC is currently facing a humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by increased demand for cobalt, a resource concentrated in Congo that is used in lithium batteries used in vaping products.
Gen Z’s response to the problem has been to ditch nicotine devices to reduce demand for cobalt in the Congo, and to track the process on social media.
A younger generation has given up vaping in an attempt to address poor cobalt mining conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and they’ve taken to TikTok to explain why
Cobalt is a chemical element that is present in almost every technology gadget today that uses a lithium battery.
Companies often claim that their cobalt is ethically sourced, but plenty of evidence suggests otherwise.
A series of images taken from mines in the DRC, where 90 percent of the world’s cobalt is mined and used to make the batteries that power our technology-driven lives, raises vexing questions.
People work tirelessly in the DRC’s vast, polluted mines, where toxic red dust burns their eyes and they risk skin conditions and fatal lung disease.
For wages of just 8p a day, children are forced to check rocks for the distinctive chocolate-brown streaks of cobalt – a valuable ingredient needed in the batteries that power gadgets including electric cars.
Cobalt is mined through unregulated labor and transported to Asia, where battery manufacturers use it to make their products lighter, more durable and rechargeable.
Generation Z has realized the connection between cobalt mining in the DRC and their love of lithium-fueled vapes.
One videoa profile dedicated to encouraging vapers to quit smoking shared an explanation.
One of them made a long video urging her followers to stop vaping to support the environment and help people in the DRC.
One content creator tracked his journey to quitting vaping “for the sake of the Congo” for hours on TikTok.
The trend has attracted a large following on TikTok, with younger generations quitting smoking “in solidarity with the people of Congo.”
She said: “This is why people quit vaping for Congo. Congo is currently facing a complex humanitarian crisis with more than six million people forced to flee their homes.”
“Much of this conflict is fueled by increased demand for cobalt. Lithium-ion batteries used in e-cigarettes contain cobalt. So, by quitting vaping, you reduce the demand for lithium-ion batteries, you reduce the demand for cobalt, and you can influence this problem from afar.
She concluded: “If you want to help, you can quit vaping, you can donate to organizations like the IRC and UNICEF, you can educate yourself and help spread awareness, you can become a more conscious consumer and hold companies accountable for Where are they located. where their materials come from and what impact it has on the wider community.”
Other content creators have been tracking their progress since quitting vaping on TikTok.
One shared the video with the caption: “Three hours of smoking ban (emoji) for Congo.”
Shabara Workers’ Sea, one of the largest cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where hundreds of thousands of people are exposed to toxic chemicals every day while extracting the precious mineral.
Children are not spared the burden of manual labor in the DRC’s artisanal mines. Above: A child carries a bag of stones in Kapata, southwest of Kolwezi.
A woman carries her baby while mining cobalt in the hills a few kilometers northwest of the town of Kambovo.
Another posted a video and wrote: “Day 3 of no vaping in solidarity with the people of Congo.”
Some people also took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts on the debate.
One of them said: “I haven’t used nicotine for over a year. The only thing stopping me from buying a vape is Congo. I feel hopeless for the planet. I quit nicotine for the sake of my future potential children, but I don’t see a future, so what’s the point… only Congo for me.”
A second added: “I’m going to quit vaping in solidarity with Congo, I have one elf bar (right now) and when it dies it might be my last vape. It was a journey.”
A third agreed and said: “Many of you (will) find this hard to hear, but if you really (and I mean) really support Congo, you would quit vaping.
Social media users took to X, formerly Twitter, to explain why they quit vaping.
“Vapes are made using cobalt. The same cobalt that people and children die mining for you so you can smoke. #FreeCongo.”
A fourth wrote: “I love that these generations wouldn’t quit smoking for health, but would quit in a heartbeat for Congo.”
A fifth said: “Just saw someone say this on TikTok but people who vape if you’re not going to quit for yourself quit smoking for the people of Congo!” Vapes are made partly from cobalt, and buying a new one every few days is funding genocide in the Congo. FREE CONGO.”
Another agreed and wrote: “If you haven’t quit smoking for your health, quit smoking for Congo (DRC). Lithium is the main component of most vape batteries, and mines in the Congo (operated, owned and operated in inhumane ways) produce most of the world’s electronics materials. #FreeCongo.”