Vaping
The Truth Initiative reports that 1 in 4 high schoolers vaped last year, and more than half of those who regularly use e-cigarettes or other forms of smoking have tried to quit. This is where you can make a difference in their life.
How to Help
Whether it’s vaping or smoking cigarettes, knowing how to help guide youth away from the path of addiction will help them lead a healthy, fulfilling life.
If you think or know someone who vapes or smokes you can…
- Educate yourself on vaping products and cigarettes
- Familiarize yourself with the lingo youth in your life might be using; for a little help, check out this comprehensive list from The Truth Initiative
- Discuss false advertising around vaping, e-cigarettes, and cigarettes
- Set expectations and boundaries; let the teen know that continued smoking in any form will not be tolerated
- Maintain an open dialogue about vaping and smoking and share your own stories
- Give them opportunities to build trust and prove they can be counted on to turn away from vaping and tobacco use
The Impact of Vaping and Nicotine Use
According to the CDC, scientists are still learning the long-term impacts of vaping on teens and their overall health. Studies on nicotine, however, show harmful effects on…
Physical Health
- Dizziness and headaches
- Nausea
- Sore throat
- Lung cancer
- Lung disease
- Heart attack
- Reproductive complications
- Underdeveloped synapses in the brain
Emotional & Mental Health
- Difficulty expressing emotions
- Higher risk of depression and anxiety
Relationships
- Loss of interest in other activities
- Difficulty forming relationships without the expectation of nicotine use
- Decreased sex drive
The CDC reports that e-cigarettes are especially harmful because of the prevalence of chemicals and substances in addition to nicotine; for instance flavorings such as diacetyl (linked to lung disease) and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.
Community Resources:
Your family doctor
Call 2-1-1 for more local resources