E-Cigarettes & Vaping
What are E-Cigarettes?
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are
battery powered devices that are used to
deliver nicotine, flavorings,and other
ingredients to the user.Using e-cigarettes
is also referred to as vaping.
What do E-Cigarettes look like?
E-cigarettes can be hard to recognize because of their many shapes and sizes. Some devices look like traditional cigarettes, cigars or pipes while many others look very different. Larger cigarettes that have tank systems do not look like the more traditional versions. Some e-cigarettes look like common household items like flash drives, pens, highlighters or markers.
Is vaping dangerous?
Yes. It is a common misconception that e-cigarettes create harmless water vapor. Instead, e-cigarettes create an aerosol that can contain harmful chemicals.
These chemicals include:
- Nictotine
- Carcinogens
- Volatile organic compounds
- Ultra-fine particles
- Flavorings that have been linked
to lung disease - Heavy metals (nickel, tin, and lead)
Are there other risks associated with vaping?
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Nicotine can harm brain development, impact learning, memory and attention. It also puts youth at an increased risk for future addiction to other drugs.
Did You Know?
Youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to use regular cigarettes later on in life.
What are flavorings?
Flavorings are often used with e-cigarettes. Flavors like mango, fruit and creme can be appealing to youth and may be one of the reasons they have become so popular.
JUUL or Flash Drive?
JUUL is a brand of e-cigarettes that is shaped like a USB flash drive. JUUL is the top-selling e-cigarette brand in the United States. Students have been using JUULs in classrooms and bathrooms at schools because it is easy to conceal. Pods are used with JUULs to deliver nicotine. Can you tell the difference between a JUUL and a flash drive?
Disposable Vapes: The newest trend
The newest vaping trend to hit the market are disposable vapes like Puff Bar. These new devices are also resemble flash drives. Puff bars look very similar to JUULs, but there are some differences.
Disposable vapes are thrown away when the liquid runs out. They have high nicotine levels and are flavored.
The Puff Bar already has the liquid loaded inside it and does not need to be refilled. It also has a battery in it and does not need to be recharged. Below are disposable vapes from the Puff Bar brand.
Did You Know?
The original Puff Bar has around 300 puffs per bar, the equivalent of one pack of 20 cigarettes. The Puff Bar plus gives around 800 puffs and is equivalent to more than 2 packs of cigarettes.
My child isn’t old enough to buy e-cigarettes.
Could they still be vaping?
Yes. E-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product for youth since 2014. CDC and FDA data has shown that more than 5 million youth in the U.S. used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. More than 1 in 4 high school students and more than 1 in 10 middle school students used e cigarettes in the past 30 days.
What are the signs that my teen may be using e-cigarettes?
Some signs of vaping include:
- Vaping equipment or related product (pods, flavorings, etc.) packaging
- Unusual online purchases or packages
- They smell like flavorings like bubble gum, chocolate cake, cotton candy, mango, or other new flavorings you have not noticed before (could be a faint smell).
- Increased thirst or nose bleeds Decreased caffeine use
- Use of vaping lingo in text messages or on social media
- Appearance or behavior changes
Looking for more? Download the free vaping guide for parents from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids today!
This guide includes more information on vaping, why teens use and example conversations that you can have with your teen about vaping. https://drugfree.org/resources/
How do I talk to my teen about vaping?
If you think your teen might be vaping or you want to prevent them from starting use, it is important to have a conversation with them.
A few tips for having a conversation with your teen:
- Look for opportunities to discuss vaping when it comes up naturally
- Be ready to listen to your teen rather than lecturing
- Let your teen know your expectations about vaping
- Tell your teen why you don’t want them to use
- Be a good role model – set a positive example by being
vape and tobacco-free
This is Quitting
Truth Initiative: Inspiring Tobacco-Free Lives
This is Quitting is a free mobile program from the Truth Initiative that is designed to help young people quit vaping. The first-of-its kind text messaging program incorporates messages from other young people who have attempted or successfully quit using ecigarettes.
Messages include both the good and bad sides of quitting an help youth feel motivated, inspired and supporting throughout their quitting journey. They also send evidence based tips and strategies to quit and stay quit!
Are you a parent of a young person who vapes?
Parents can text QUIT to 202-899-7550 to sign up to receive text messages designed specifically for parents of vapers.
If you are an adult looking for support to quit vaping or stop using any tobacco product there is a program for you! BecomeAnEX offers comprehensive web and mobile tools to support quitting.
Looking to enroll in This is Quitting? Text DITCHJUUL to 88709 to sign up.
Participants will be asked about their age and product usage so they receive relevant information.
Visit https://truthinitiative.org/thisisquitting to find out more information.
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/ecigarettes/pdfs/OSH-E Cigarettes-and-Youth-What-Parents-Need-to-Know-20190327-508.pdf
- https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids:
- https://drugfree.org/article/risk-factors-why-teensuse/
- https://drugfree.org/article/spotting-drug-use/
- https://drugfree.org/article/how-to-talk-with-yourkids-about-vaping/
- https://drugfree.org/resources/
Truth Initiative: Inspiring Tobacco-Free Lives: