e-Cigarettes and Vaping Education
What are E-cigarettes?
E-cigarettes come in many shapes, sizes and names.
Some common E-cigarette names are vapes, vape pens, JUUL’s, e-cigs and more. E-cigarettes work by heating up a liquid that contains nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals. E-cigarettes can look like regular cigarettes or pipes, or like USB sticks and pens.
Why are E-cigarettes harmful?
E-cigarette use is on the rise among our youth. In fact, according to the FDA 3.62 million middle and high school students were current users of e-cigarettes in 2018.1 E-cigarette use, from 2017 to 2018, increased 78 percent among high school students (11.7% to 20.8%) and 48 percent among middle school students (3.3% to 4.9%) from 2017 to 2018.1 This rise may be due to the fact that many people, especially youth, do not see any harm in using e-cigarettes and believe them to be safe.1
However, e-cigarettes contain many harmful substances such as:
- Nicotine
- Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
- Flavoring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
- Volatile organic compounds
- Cancer-causing chemicals
- Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead1
Along with the false belief that e-cigarettes are harmless is the problem of the hundreds of different flavors that appeal to youth. According to a 2013-2014 survey, 81 percent of current youth e-cigarette users cited the availability of appealing flavors as the primary reason for use.2
The fact is that our youth are using e-cigarettes at an alarming rate and e-cigarettes contain addictive, harmful substances that put them at risk for addiction and other health consequences. In fact, some e-cigarettes can contain as much nicotine as 20 packs of cigarettes.3
What can you do?
Become knowledgeable about e-cigarettes. Know what they look like and be aware of the addictive and harmful substances in them.
Have a discussion with your child about e-cigarettes and ask them if they know what substances they contain, that they are highly addictive and often lead to smoking cigarettes.
Be patient and willing to listen. Use the Know The Risks - Talk with Your Teen About E-cigarettes tip sheet for Parents.
Let’s come together as a community to protect our youth and get educated on these devices!
- https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/products-ingredients-components/vaporizers-e-cigarettes-and-other-electronic-nicotine-delivery-systems-ends
- https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html
- Wang TW, Gentzke A, Sharapova S, Cullen KA, Ambrose BK, Jamal A.Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students – United States, 2011-2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67:629–33.
-
RRH to suspend labor and delivery s ...
Featured, Blog
Notice of Elimination of Supplemental Service SUMMARY Due to significant financial and staffing challenges, Ridgecrest Regional Hospital expects that ...
Continue Reading -
RRH to suspend labor and delivery s ...
Featured, News
Notice of Elimination of Supplemental Service SUMMARY Due to significant financial and staffing challenges, Ridgecrest Regional Hospital expects that ...
Continue Reading -
Living Life After Breast Cancer
Blog
Remission Advice for Breast Cancer Patients It's been a long road, but you've finally reached the end of your breast cancer treatment: you've got ...
Continue Reading -
Benefits of Enlisting a Health ...
Blog
Many people have a desire to improve their health and wellness but aren’t quite sure how. If you want to create a wellness plan tailored to your ...
Continue Reading -
Drinking Mindfully Around the Holid ...
Blog
Alcohol & Your Health: Why Moderation is Key During the Holidays It's no secret that alcohol consumption tends to increase during the holiday season. ...
Continue Reading -
How Common is Pneumonia?
Blog
What is Pneumonia? With the changing seasons, many of us focus on preventing the common cold and seasonal flu. However, we often forget one condition ...
Continue Reading -
When it comes to food, think beyond ...
Blog
One of the most popular, frustrating, and often-debated topics of discussion is nutrition, - which becomes especially timely during the observance of ...
Continue Reading -
Childhood Diabetes Symptoms: ...
Blog
Does My Child Have Type 1 Diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is a serious autoimmune disease that attacks the body's insulin-producing cells. It is also known ...
Continue Reading -
Walking is the New Running! ...
Blog
We’ve heard all our lives that physical activity is critical to good health – with federal guidelines recommending a minimum of 60 minutes per day for ...
Continue Reading -
Foods That Boost Your Immunity
Blog
Using Nutrient-Rich Foods to Your Advantage Are you looking to strengthen your immunity? Eating a well-balanced diet can help you stay healthy and ...
Continue Reading