Vaping is using any form of electronic smoking device to deliver nicotine through the lungs.
Vaping does not produce smoke like its combustible counterpart. Electronic smoking devices produce an aerosol that contains nicotine, flavoring, and other chemicals.
Also known as e-cigs, mods, e-hookahs or simply “vapes”, electronic smoking devices are all used to orally inhale liquid (often flavored) nicotine.
VAPE FACTS:
Vapes are the most commonly used nicotine delivery product used by youth.
In 2023, 22.2% of U.S. middle and high school students reported ever using any tobacco product, corresponding to 6.21 million persons
In 2023, 10.0% of high school students and 4.6% of middle school students used e-cigarettes during the past 30 days.
E-cigarettes were the most commonly reported currently used tobacco product among all students (7.7%) and both middle school (4.6%) and high school students (10.0%).
Among students reporting current e-cigarette use, 25.2% reported using e-cigarettes daily.
In 2023, approximately one half of students ever using e-cigarettes reported using them currently, indicating that many young persons who try e-cigarettes remain e-cigarette users.
IS VAPING BAD FOR YOU?
Vaping delivers nicotine to your lungs just like traditional cigarettes without the use of combustion so it carries similar health risks.
Nicotine (in any form or delivery method) is toxic and highly addictive.
Almost all e-cigarettes contain nicotine – including many that claim they are nicotine free.
Second hand smoke from e-cigarettes is harmful to anyone nearby.
Although less, vape aerosol still contains toxic and other cancer-causing chemicals. Many popular bands of vapes have been linked to heavy metal poisoning which is especially dangerous for fetuses and developing brains of young children.
Vaping has also been associated with an increased risk to Cardio Vascular Disease (due to nicotine), promotion of tumor growth, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
On a number of occasions, defective vape pens have exploded, causing chemical and heat burns.
Electronic cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a severe lung illness related to using e-cigarettes and vaping products. This was first identified in 2019.
WHAT DO VAPING DEVICES LOOK LIKE?
Vape devices come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes that can often be difficult to identify. Many look like USB flash drives while other brands can look like anything from a regular cigarette/cigar to a smoking pipe, an everyday pen, or a battery charger for your smart phone.
HOW DO I TALK TO MY KIDS ABOUT VAPING?
Talk to your kids regularly so that they feel comfortable talking to you about vaping and e-cigarette usage at their school.
Stay positive. Being overly accusatory will not get your kids to open up to you.
Stay involved. Your children’s teachers and principals can often be a good resource in finding out how many children vape at their school.
Listen to your children. They may have been trying to tell you something important.
