Whereas e-cigarette use in teenagers has gone down lately, teenagers are nonetheless vaping regardless of nationwide insurance policies geared toward decreasing nicotine vaping amongst adolescents.
The most recent information from 2024 reveals the share of teenagers who reported that they had ever vaped nicotine frequently was:
- 9.6% for eighth grade college students (up from 4.7% in 2022),
- 15.4% for tenth grade college students (up from 8.7% in 2022), and
- 21% of twelfth grade college students (up from 15% in 2022).
Nicotine vaping is among the most regularly abused substances in these grades.
What’s extra, the Journal of the American Medical Affiliation discovered that vaping in teenagers is linked to the next danger for beginning cigarette smoking and use, particularly in youths who’ve low risk-taking behaviors. Vaping may be a method for some adults to quit smoking, however for teenagers, it’s a option to begin.
Chances are high excessive that teenagers right this moment have been uncovered to e-cigarettes, thought of utilizing them, or have used them. So, what can dad and mom do to cut back the probabilities that their teenagers will flip to vaping?
As a pharmacist within the Drug and Poison Data Heart, I recommend studying every part you possibly can about e-cigarettes after which having an sincere dialog along with your teen in regards to the dangers. Under are some info to get you began.
8 Information About Nicotine, E-Cigarettes and E-Liquids
FACT #1: E-CIGARETTES CONTAIN HARMFUL CHEMICALS
In response to smokefree.gov, e-cigarettes often include nicotine. This chemical has been proven to hurt mind improvement not solely in kids, but additionally in younger adults into their early 20s.
E-cigarettes may additionally include different harmful substances, together with heavy metals like lead, cancer-causing chemical compounds, and small particles that get inhaled deep into the lungs.
FACT #2: Nicotine is very addictive
Nicotine is among the most addictive substances and is extremely tough to cease utilizing. Dependence relies on elements resembling age, household or peer affect, genetics, medical historical past and extra.
The teenager mind is very inclined to the damaging and addictive results of nicotine, and the long-term results of e-liquids should not clear.
FACT #3: Nicotine in e-liquids can have an effect on the mind and coronary heart
Nicotine is a neurotoxic substance. Meaning it could have an effect on the mind in a damaging method and trigger negative effects.
E-liquids are available in quite a lot of nicotine concentrations. Taking in even small quantities of nicotine has the potential to be deadly to a small little one. Liquid nicotine will also be absorbed via the pores and skin. If a spill occurs when refilling the e-cigarette, it has the potential to be very harmful.
When liquid nicotine is by chance ingested, it could trigger vomiting and seizures. It can also have an effect on the guts.
FACT #4: DESPITE LAWS, E-CIGARETTES CAN STILL BE EASY TO GET
In 2019, the Tobacco 21 regulation went into impact. This regulation restricts the sale of tobacco merchandise in the US to these over 21 solely. This contains vapes.
Nevertheless, on-line and in-person shops might not at all times ask for identification, and on-line sellers of vaping gadgets might not test a buyer’s age on the time of sale.
FACT #5: E-cigarettes are available in brilliant colours and flavors
The brilliant colours, flavors and smells of e-liquids could be interesting to each teenagers and young children, making them appear innocent. If younger children are within the dwelling, preserve e-cigarettes out of their attain. Many containers should not child-resistant.
In early 2020, the FDA restricted flavors in reusable e-cigarettes to simply menthol and tobacco. However the taste limits don’t apply to disposable e-cigarettes, that are nonetheless in the marketplace right this moment.
FACT #6: Nicotine supply could be discreet
It’s arduous to inform when somebody is utilizing an e-cigarette, as a result of they gained’t scent like tobacco. Vapes can even appear like a pen, key fob or flash drives. A more recent product in the marketplace is a vape pen that appears like a highlighter.
One other discreet nicotine product is oral nicotine pouches. These small, rectangular packets are positioned between the lip and gum, usually below the higher lip. Because the pouches dissolve, nicotine is launched from them into the bloodstream via the mouth. They’re accessible in quite a lot of flavors which will attraction to youth. Like e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches can include excessive ranges of nicotine.
FACT #7: E-cigarettes are BEING USED TO VAPE THC
Many younger individuals additionally use vaping gadgets to devour hashish merchandise. In 2024, practically 17.6% of twelfth graders reported that they vaped marijuana up to now yr. (That is down from 20% in 2022.)
(Supply: Monitoring the Future, NIH)
FACT #8: SEVERE LUNG INJURIES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH E-CIGARETTE USE
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention reported in February 2020 that greater than 2,800 individuals have acquired an acute lung damage or died associated to the usage of e-cigarettes. Learn this weblog put up for extra details about vaping and its influence on teenagers’ lungs.
You probably have any issues about your little one being uncovered to nicotine or every other dangerous substance, please name the Drug and Poison Data Heart at 1-800-222-1222. We are able to study extra about your little one and the state of affairs, and stroll you thru what to do subsequent.
In regards to the creator: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT
Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, DABAT, ICPS, is a pharmacist and medical toxicologist. She has greater than 20 years of expertise on the Drug and Poison Data Heart Hotline at Cincinnati Youngsters’s.