Vaping and E-cigarette usage has spiked in recent years especially among youth and young adults. According to the National Youth Tobacco survey on 2011-2018 E-cigarette use has doubled in high school students from 2016 to 2018 and continued to rise in the past three years.
Why is vaping/e-cigarettes so dangerous?
Vapes and E-cigarettes contain Nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can affect brain development.
Nicotine is not the only harmful substance in e-cigarettes and vapes. Metals can also be found in e-cigs and vapes. Some vapes and e-cigs also contain diacetyl for flavor which is a chemical connected to lung disease. Some particles and organic compounds are also in the mix and can poorly affect the lungs.
Nicotine has a major impact on the brain. Nicotine can result in addiction, weak impulse control, issues with mood, and altered attention and learning.
Youth can become addicted to substances more easily than adults due to their brain still forming.
Using e-cigarettes and vapes are known to lead to use of other substances. Once a nicotine tolerance is built many will seek the nicotine buzz form other stronger substances. E cigarettes and vapes can also be used to smoke other substances such as marijuana.
E-cigarettes and vapes can also be defective or have battery issues that can result in explosions/fires while using or while charging.
Synapses for memory and skills are formed quickly in young adult brains and nicotine changes the formation of those synapses.
E-cigarettes and vapes all look very different and come in many forms. Some can look just like regular cigarettes, flash drives, pens, or bigger box shaped items.
Slang/terms to listen out for:
There are many terms for these devices, e-cigs, e-hookahs, vape pens, tank systems, ENDS, JUULS, PUFF bars. (NOT A COMPLETE LIST)
Other common terms: puff, mods, pods, juice, liquid, and clouds.
Ways to prevent use:
Providing a tobacco-free home and environment is beneficial to keeping kids from also using tobacco products of any type.
Have conversations with your children about how and why e-cigs/vapes are so harmful to them.
Communication and setting examples are key to keeping youth away from vapes/e-cigarettes.
Resources to help you quit:
Visit smokefree.gov or call 1-800-quit-now (More information for youth at teen.smokefree.gov)
Follow @quitthehit on Instagram
Follow this link (https://www.thetruth.com/form/tiq-join-google-search?cid=vap_search_googlepaidsearch_tiq_nonbrand_na&&cid=VAP_TIQ_GOOGLEPAIDSEARCH_NONBRAND&gclid=CjwKCAjwtdeFBhBAEiwAKOIy5_zxo9FAHn0nv3wKje_UPMLjTFz-2PVU_PBe_k3ofd-Z_yUvyYpGsBoCT0gQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) and enter your phone number for support in quitting.
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/atod
Sources
- https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/getthefacts.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html?s_cid=OSH_emg_GL0001
Link: What You Need to Know and How to Talk to Your Kids About Vaping
(Infographics courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
