Calling vaping tobacco use is like likening a painkiller to eating tree bark.
Yes the nicotine comes from tobacco, but hundreds of other compounds are removed, and smoking or chewing tobacco is cancerous, AFAIK vaping is not, or more precisely less than 1% the toxicity of tobacco.

Vaping would be a great alternative to smoking cigarettes. As a substitute, it can aid in the process of trying to quit smoking altogether.

The goal, however, is always to remain or become smoke free.

Vaping feels cleaner than cigarettes and tastes better when you haven’t smoked before. It makes it easier to start smoking. Once you are vaping, you have a higher chance of picking up cigarettes than if you haven’t vaped before.

Also, I’d argue that putting nicotine in the growing bodies of kids and youngsters isn’t the best idea to begin with, no matter the form of presentation…

As a substitute, it can aid in the process of trying to quit smoking altogether.

Yes I used it myself, where I had failed with several attempts before, I finally succeeded getting rid of tobacco with vaping, and then step the vaping down by mixing ever less nicotine in may vape juice.

Vaping feels cleaner than cigarettes and tastes better when you haven’t smoked before.

I agree, and even as a heavy smoker, when you have vaped for 14 days, a cigarette taste horrible.

It makes it easier to start smoking.

I know what you mean, but I have to correct you there. Vaping is NOT smoking. There’s a HUGE difference between inhaling a vapor that has been proven safe, to a degree that it was used to prevent infections in kindergartens in the 50’s in USA. The nicotine itself has few detrimental health effects, apart from creating dependency.
Smoke from tobacco on the other hand, contains hundreds of carcinogens, and it is pretty obvious that inhaling smoke is dangerous. While vaping is more like smelling the fragrance of a pot of tea.

Also, I’d argue that putting nicotine in the growing bodies of kids and youngsters isn’t the best idea to begin with,

I absolutely agree, the fact that it creates a dependency, is IMO a good argument for making it illegal for under 18’s.
You are not fit to make that decision as a minor. However, it is also my impression that many young people actually do vape without the nicotine.
Also regarding the nicotine in vapes, there are allegedly similar problems with energy drinks, that can also create dependencies. Those should be restricted too IMO. Preferably completely outlawed, or rather limited to be no stronger than a cup of tea.

The problem is however, that there’s no studies on the effect yet that can tell anything about long-term effects.

The better smell and taste, espescially the sweetness and renewed coolness factor has however had quite the impact on early smoking among adolescents. Regarding addiction and effects of energy drinks, yes they are bad. In fact, IFAIC there was a study posted on lemmy recently that showed how bad hightened coffeine intake is for teens. And I’d for one very much support a ban on energy drinks before the age of 16 or even 18 for all I care.