Vaping FAQs

is vaping ok for teens

by Dr. Hildegard Haag Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults

  • The use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults.
  • Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s. 1
  • E-cigarettes can contain other harmful substances besides nicotine.
  • Young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.

The use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s. E-cigarettes can contain other harmful substances besides nicotine.

Full Answer

Why teens shouldn't vape?

The Top Three Reasons Teens Should Stop Vaping

  • Lung Illness. Hundreds of teens have been hospitalized due to vaping related lung illnesses. The Chicago Tribune covered...
  • Bad Devices. With the rising popularity of vaping, many counterfeited devices have entered the market. Vaping black...
  • Death. The Center for Disease Control reported vaping related deaths have been...

How to help your teen quit vaping?

Offer your own suggestions as well:

  • Know your reasons. Ask your teen to think about why he or she wants to stop smoking. ...
  • Set a quit date. Help your teen choose a date to stop smoking.
  • Avoid temptation. Encourage your teen to avoid people, places and activities that he or she links with smoking.
  • Be prepared for cravings. ...
  • Consider stop-smoking products. ...
  • Seek support. ...

What effects does vaping have on teenagers?

What Are the Other Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults?

  • Scientists are still learning about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes.
  • Some of the ingredients in e-cigarette aerosol could also be harmful to the lungs in the long-term. ...
  • Defective e-cigarette batteries have caused some fires and explosions, a few of which have resulted in serious injuries.

More items...

Why do teens start vaping?

The report found that, among students who used e-cigarettes in 2016, the most common reasons were:

  • Because a friend or family member used them (39 percent)
  • The availability of flavors, such as mint, candy, fruit or chocolate (31 percent)
  • The belief that e-cigarettes are less harmful than other forms of tobacco, such as cigarettes (17.1 percent)

How does vaping affect teens?

Where Can Teens Get Help To Stop Vaping?

How Can You Talk To Your Teen About Vaping?

Why is it so hard to quit smoking?

What is an e-cigarette?

What is the substance in e-cigarettes?

How many middle schoolers use e-cigarettes?

See 4 more

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What happens if you vape as a teenager?

becoming a smoker: People who vape are more likely to start smoking regular (tobacco) cigarettes and may be more likely to develop other addictions in the future. impotence: There is some evidence that vaping can cause sexual dysfunction in men. sleep problems. exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

Can a 14 year old vape?

A: The federal minimum age to purchase e-cigarette products is 18, but the laws vary by state – 49 states have set a minimum age that is older than 18. Unfortunately, the majority of underage vaping users are still getting the products from local gas stations or areas in their community that sell the products.

What can a 15 year old do when vaping?

5 Tips to Help Teens Quit VapingReason with your child. Have an honest discussion about the effects of vaping and how this type of addiction can lead to other substance abuse. ... Be present. ... Talk, don't punish. ... Appeal to their desire for independence. ... Equip them with support and resources.

Can Dentists tell if you vape?

To conclude, though you might not immediately exhibit the tell-tale stains or smell of a smoker, your dentist will be able to deduce the other symptoms of vaping.

Should I let my son vape?

Is it OK to let my kid vape? Because of the adverse effects and addictive quality, it is not a good idea to allow a teenager (or anyone) to vape. Aside from the risk of heart attack or stroke, the nicotine alone has been shown to be a highly addictive substance.

What are 5 risks of vaping?

Vaping has been linked to lung injury.Rapid onset of coughing.Breathing difficulties.Weight loss.Nausea and vomiting.Diarrhea.

Why do teenagers vape?

addiction, they like the “hit” they get from nicotine. appealing flavors (e.g. fruit, candy, dessert) devices are seen as trendy, or a status symbol. they consider vaping “harmless” and “safer than smoking” in order to quit or cut down on smoking.

Is vaping worse than smoking?

1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.

Why do teenagers vape?

addiction, they like the “hit” they get from nicotine. appealing flavors (e.g. fruit, candy, dessert) devices are seen as trendy, or a status symbol. they consider vaping “harmless” and “safer than smoking” in order to quit or cut down on smoking.

What do I do if I catch my kid vaping?

If your child is caught vaping or admits to vaping, try to stay calm and non-judgmental. Listen, don't lecture....Invite your child to talk, be patient and ready to listen.Try to understand their feelings.Avoid showing judgment.Keep asking questions and check to make sure you understand.

Can you get a vape at 12?

Part of the Food and Drug Administration's 2016 Deeming Rule was a federal ban on the sales of vapor products to those under age 18. By deeming the tobacco-free devices and e-liquids to be tobacco products, they automatically fell under the existing federal restriction on selling tobacco products to minors.

How can I tell if my kid is vaping?

Signs a person is vapingA sweet scent in the air. ... Unfamiliar pens and USB drives. ... Drinking more water. ... Nosebleeds. ... Smoker's cough or mouth sores. ... New batteries and chargers. ... Discarded vaping pods and devices.

Doctor's warning about dangers of vaping - Mayo Clinic Health System

For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

Why are e-cigarettes not safe to eat?

For example, some e-cigarette flavorings may be safe to eat but not to inhale because the gut can process more substances than the lungs. 1. Defective e-cigarette batteries have caused some fires and explosions, a few of which have resulted in serious injuries.

When will e-cigarettes be banned?

On January 2, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized an enforcement policy that prohibits the sale of prefilled cartridge e-cigarettes in any flavor other than tobacco or menthol, unless authorized by FDA.

How much nicotine is in Juul pods?

All JUUL e-cigarettes have a high level of nicotine. According to the manufacturer, a single JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes. 2

How do e-cigarettes produce aerosols?

E-cigarettes produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals that help to make the aerosol. The liquid used in e-cigarettes often contains nicotine and flavorings. This liquid is sometimes called “e-juice,” “e-liquid,” “vape juice,” or “vape liquid.”. Users inhale e-cigarette aerosol ...

What is a Juul?

JUUL is a brand of e-cigarette that is shaped like a USB flash drive. Like other e-cigarettes, JUUL is a battery-powered device that heats a nicotine-containing liquid to produce an aerosol that is inhaled.

What are the most popular flavors of e-cigarettes in 2020?

5 Among high school students who currently used any type of flavored e-cigarettes in 2020, the most commonly used flavors are fruit (73.1%), mint (55.8%), menthol (37.0%), and candy, desserts , or other sweets (36.4%). 5.

What are the flavors of e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes come in various flavors, including fruit, candy, mint, and menthol. A study from 2013-2014 showed that most youth who use e-cigarettes first start with a flavored variety, and flavors are the primary reason youth report using e-cigarettes. 6.

Why are kids vulnerable to vapes?

This may come in the form of peer pressure or stress, which may increase the likelihood of addictive behaviors, he said.

Why do people vape?

Kids and adults also tend to vape for different reasons, Goniewicz said. Adults tend to be former smokers who can handle a high dose of nicotine and want to avoid withdrawal symptoms, such as the inability to sleep or focus on work .

Can vaping cause stomach aches?

Levy said that it’s not uncommon for kids to report symptoms that “sound a lot like nicotine toxicity,” including headaches and stomach aches. She suspects these devices cause nicotine levels in the blood to peak higher than they do with traditional cigarettes – but experts say more research is needed to better understand how vapes work on the body and brain.

Does Levy see vape addiction?

Levy said she’s seen vape-addicted kids in her program showing what appear to be psychiatric symptoms rarely seen with traditional cigarettes or among adults. Some have anxiety and cannot focus, for example.

Does Juul pod contain nicotine?

Experts say that one Juul pod – a cartridge of nicotine-rich liquid that users plug into the dominant e-cig brand – contains the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.

Is vaping a threat to teens?

But experts say the technology and chemistry of vaping might pose an entirely different threat.

Can nicotine be used early in life?

We know from cigarette users that those who try nicotine products early in life are more likely to develop dependence to the drug, said Leventhal . This may also lead to the disruption of brain circuits that underlie attention and cognitive skills, he added.

How to tell if a teen is vaping?

What Parents Can Do About Teen Vaping 1 Watch for warning signs. Because e-cigarettes do not have an odor, it’s harder to tell when teens are using them. However, there are other signs to watch for, including bloodshot eyes, increased thirst, nosebleeds, and cough. 2 Ask open-ended questions. Avoid yes/no questions when talking with teens about vaping. Ask them what they’ve heard about vaping and what their peers think about it. Approach the conversation with caring and curiosity, not judgment. If a teen admits to vaping, react with compassion. 3 Let them know about the dangers. Make sure that teens understand the potential long-term consequences of vaping. 4 Set a good example. If parents don’t want their teens to vape or smoke, they shouldn’t do so either. Teens will have a hard time believing that vaping is dangerous if they see adults doing it. 5 Get them the help they need. If a teen wants to stop vaping, make sure they receive access to professional help for breaking the habit and dealing with the physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal.

What can parents do about vaping?

What Parents Can Do About Teen Vaping. Parents can take steps to help prevent their kids from vaping health risks. In particular, communication between parents and teens is key in supporting good choices and positive coping mechanisms. Here are some ways to protect teens from the dangers of vaping.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping refers to the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, or vapor, created by a vaping device. A vaping device includes a mouthpiece, a battery, a heating component, and a cartridge that contains the e-liquid or e-juice. The e-liquid is a combination of nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. Vaping devices can also be used to vaporize THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, by replacing e-liquids with cannabis-infused oils.

What are the chemicals in vape juice?

Along with nicotine, vaping liquids contain additives such as propylene glycol and glycerol. These toxic chemicals have been linked to cancer, respiratory disease, and heart disease. Scientists have also found that diacetyl, a chemical used to flavor some vape juice, may cause a condition called “popcorn lung,” the scarring and obstruction of the lungs’ smallest airways. In addition, a study found that some common chemicals used to flavor vape juice could damage endothelial cells. These are the cells that line blood vessels and lymph vessels.

What is the purpose of a vape battery?

The battery in a vaping device powers the heating component, which heats up the e-liquid , also known as vape juice . As a result, the device produces water vapor. Users inhale this vapor into their lungs.

How much has vaping increased in high school?

According to the most recent Monitoring the Future study, use of vaping nicotine has nearly doubled among high school seniors, increasing from 11 percent in 2017 to 20.9 percent in 2018. Vaping has also significantly increased among eighth and 10th graders.

How many deaths from vaping?

Most recently, a vaping-related health crisis has resulted in hundreds of respiratory illnesses across the United States and at least six deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Why do kids vape?

A lot of kids experiment with or use vaping products because they believe it’s harmless. For most, the flavors are the lure.

How many teens use e-cigarettes in 2015?

Eye-Opening Stats. While smoking has gone down among teens, overall tobacco use has remained steady. It’s because vaping has become common. More than 3 million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in 2015, up from 2.46 million in 2014.

What is the chemical in e-cigarettes?

For example, Harvard University researchers found diacetyl, a flavoring chemical, in most of the e-cigarettes and e-liquids tested. Diacetyl has been linked to a respiratory disease called bronchiolitis obliterans.

When did Nick start smoking cigarettes?

Nick started smoking cigarettes when he was 11, maybe 12, and he kept at it for years. “Until my parents got fed up with it,” says Nick, now 18, a high school senior who lives near Helen, GA. “Also, it got to the point where I couldn’t taste or smell anything.”. So he stopped smoking and started “vaping” -- he gave up traditional cigarettes ...

Can e-cigarettes cause asthma?

They can irritate your lungs or make asthma worse. They may also make a teen more likely to take up smoking. “They may not be burning carcinogens when they use an e-cigarette,” says Jonathan Popler, MD, a pediatrician with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, “but are delivering nicotine to the body.”.

Does nicotine harm the brain?

And there’s a growing body of evidence that nicotine can harm the developing adolescent brain .”. At the same time, the number of teens using e-cigarettes has soared. “High school students are using e-cigarettes at a greater rate than adults,” King says.

What Are the Health Effects of Vaping?

Vaping hasn't been around long enough for us to know how it affects the body over time. But health experts are reporting serious lung damage in people who vape, including some deaths.

How do you know if you're going to quit vaping?

feeling tired, cranky, angry, or depressed. trouble concentrating. trouble sleeping. hunger. restlessness. The signs of withdrawal are strongest in the first few days after stopping. They get better over the following days and weeks. Get ready for feelings, people, and places that make you want to vape.

How Do E-Cigarettes Work?

There are different kinds of e-cigarettes. But many people use the Juul. This e-cigarette looks like a flash drive and can be charged in a laptop's USB port. It makes less smoke than other e-cigarettes, so some teens use them to vape at home and in school. The Juul pod's nicotine levels are the same as in a full pack of cigarettes.

What About E-cigarettes That Don't Have Nicotine?

Most e-cigarettes do have nicotine. Even those that don't do have chemicals in them. These chemicals can irritate and damage the lungs. The long-term effects of e-cigarettes that don't have nicotine are not known.

Why do people use e-cigarettes?

increase the risk of other types of addiction later in life. Some people use e-cigarettes to vape marijuana , THC oil, and other dangerous chemicals. Besides irritating the lungs, these drugs also affect how someone thinks, acts, and feels.

What is an e-cigarette?

E-cigarettes are battery-powered smoking devices. They have cartridges filled with a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and chemicals. The liquid is heated into a vapor, which the person inhales. That's why using e-cigarettes is called "vaping.".

Does vaping make you use other tobacco?

Use of other tobacco products: Studies show that vaping makes it more likely that someone will try other tobacco products, like regular cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, and smokeless tobacco .

TEEN VAPING: A NATIONWIDE EPIDEMIC

In December of 2018, the Surgeon General Jerome Adams issued a rare advisory. He declared e-cigarette use among youth a national epidemic.

BUT DOES VAPING LEAD TO OTHER DRUGS?

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that teenagers who try e-cigarettes are more likely to begin smoking traditional cigarettes later on. Take this conclusion with a grain of salt: the authors note there’s just a strong association, not necessarily causation.

VAPING: THE HARD FACTS

As a parent or guardian, it’s important to understand the risks associated with vaping. Here are some quick facts.

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?

As always, open and honest communication is key. It may feel easier to rely on scare tactics and misinformation, but for this topic, the truth is already convincing. Start a conversation with your teen with these tips as a guide:

SOURCES

Adolescent Exposure to Toxic Volatile Organic Chemicals From E-CigarettesU.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018: Surgeon General releases advisory on E-cigarette epidemic among youth

How Can You Find Out If Your Teen Child Vapes?

Here are some telltale symptoms which can confirm if your child is vaping or not-

What percentage of teens use e-cigarettes?

Around sixty-one percent of teens use e-cigarettes to experiment with it. Forty-two percent of teens vape because they like the flavor and the taste. No matter what the reason is, vaping can be harmful to a teen. So, this is what we have compiled about vaping and teens. Stay safe and keep reading.

Does vaping affect concentration?

Many e-cigarette brands do not mention that they have nicotine in their vape juices. Vaping nicotine can affect the level of concentration, learning speed, impulse management, and moods.

Is vape juice addictive?

Most of the vape juice contains nicotine. It’s a highly addictive drug found in most cigars, e-cigarettes, and ordinary cigarette s. According to a study, 99% of vape juices sold in the United States had nicotine content. Nicotine harms the development of a teen’s brain. A human brain tends to increase till the age of twenty-five years. The brain of a teen can create synapses faster than the brain of an adult.

Is vaping an ordinary thing?

Vaping has become an ordinary thing to do. You can easily find many people around you, who have vaped once in their life, or who still vape.

Does vaping increase the risk of addiction?

Vaping also increases the risk for other addictions in the future.

Is vaping a good way to get rid of smoking?

As we know that vaping is one of the most effective ways to get rid of smoking. It is used as an alternative to smoking, and thankfully, it has fewer side effects than smoking. It has become another important reason why more and more teens are starting to vape.

What is vaping and why is it bad for teens?

Vaping involves using a small device to heat a liquid. The heated liquid produces an aerosol, which is inhaled. The liquid usually contains nicotine and flavoring, which gives off a sweet smell.

How many teens don't know about vaping?

Remember, almost 66% of teens don’t realize that vaping involves nicotine. or if they do know it, they don’t understand the dangers of it. So your mission is toeducate your teenager and help them see the dangers of vaping. Fortunately, there areplenty of resources available to you.

What does vaping tongue mean?

Vaper’s Tongue. This is a term used to describe the loss of taste sensation that many teens who vape will experience. Your teen may complain that foods taste bland or start adding extra seasonings and spices to their meals.

How to get a vape out of your lungs?

Start by scheduling an appointment with your child’s doctor. They can give your teen a check-up to make sure their lungs have not been damaged as well as give them further information about vaping and the risks involved. Next, the two of you should call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or check outteen.smokefree.gov.

Why do teens get jittery when vaping?

Passing on caffeine.The effects of nicotine may make your teen jittery. Teens who normally rely on coffee or soda might start skipping it. Irritability. Nicotine affects brain chemistry, so your teen might get agitated more easily if they are vaping.

What are some examples of vaping devices?

Vaping involves heating up a liquid and there are some basic parts to most vaping devices. Some common things you might see include parts that look like USB drives, pens, unfamiliar chargers or batteries, cotton balls and metallic wires.

What is the number to quit vaping?

1-800-QUIT-NOW is run by the National Cancer Institute and will connect you directly to your individual state’s quit line. Each state has trained counselors and resources to help your teen quit vaping.

How does vaping affect teens?

Discussion points may include: 1 Vaping is addictive: Nicotine creates an addiction that hooks you, which makes you dependent on the substance. 2 Vaping is toxic: Talk about the types of toxic substances that are found in e-cigarettes. 3 Vaping affects the brain: Teens may not realize how nicotine may permanently affect a developing brain. 4 Your story: If you use nicotine products, talk about how you wish you never started or your struggle to stop.

Where Can Teens Get Help To Stop Vaping?

Quitting nicotine by yourself is difficult. Because it’s an addiction, it involves not only getting over the physical withdrawal symptoms but also changing behavior.

How Can You Talk To Your Teen About Vaping?

Talk to your adolescent about the dangers of vaping. Start by engaging your child in a conversation, not lecturing. Try to get a feel for what's going on at your child's school or in their social circle. Answer their questions and troubleshoot social obstacles they may face in saying no to vaping.

Why is it so hard to quit smoking?

Because nicotine is highly addictive, it's hard for people to quit once they start using it. Withdrawal symptoms include: Intense cravings. Anxiety and irritability.

What is an e-cigarette?

E-cigarettes – also called e-cigs, Juuls and vape pens – are battery-powered devices that heat liquid concoctions to create an inhalable vapor. They're becoming so common, it's likely your teen or their friends have tried them. In the last year alone, 78 percent more high school students started using e-cigarettes.

What is the substance in e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are loaded with just as much, or sometimes much more, addiction-forming nicotine as well as other toxic substances.

How many middle schoolers use e-cigarettes?

One in every 20 middle school students is already using e-cigarettes. So, having a discussion with your child before middle school is ideal. If you have older teens, it's not too late – talk to them about the dangers of vaping and how to avoid getting hooked.

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