I think that technically the vape solution is nicotine, but not tobacco. They’re “better” in that they don’t have all the side products you get from burning leaves, but it’s still nicotine and there’s now the new mix of vape chemicals that weren’t present in cigarettes. Healthier? Doubtful, but it’s less studied.
As far as teens getting their hands on them, I think this just shows how hilariously ineffective age restrictions are in preventing access to children. If vapes weren’t available, those kids would be smoking cigarettes. If cigarettes weren’t available, they would vape. If both are available (which they are, because there’s no shortage of adults who will sell these things to minors), they’ll use whatever they prefer.
Vaping is winning the popularity war with cigarettes among teenagers. I think that’s all you’re seeing.
In Canada, it’s very illegal to sell cigarettes and vaping products to minors, but it’s not illegal for them to possess or use them. That kind of brain dead gap in legislation makes it easy for politicians to say they did everything they can, and lets police say there’s nothing they can do.
I think the big thing here is which colours you’re into. Tastes change over time, either because of style trends or just age.
My childhood home had disgusting orange shag carpets. A purple toilet. A turquoise toilet. Fucking hideous by today’s standards, but I guess someone in the 60s thought it was awesome.
I’d pole your kids and ask for more detail. If they’re rolling their eyes because of “colour”, tell em to shaddap. If you’re picking really, really loud colours that don’t fit any particular motif, you can of course do what you want, but they might have a point on style.