What is a vaping device?
Vaping devices are battery-operated devices that people use to inhale an aerosol, which typically contains nicotine (though not always), flavorings, and other chemicals. They can resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes (cig-a-likes), cigars, or pipes, or even everyday items like pens or USB memory sticks. Other devices, such as those with refillable tanks, may look different. Regardless of their design and appearance, these devices generally operate in a similar manner and are made of similar components.
How do vaping devices work?
Most e-cigarettes consist of four different components, including:
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- a cartridge or reservoir or pod, which holds a liquid solution (e-liquid or e-juice) containing varying amounts of nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals
- a heating element (atomizer)
- a power source (usually a battery)
- a mouthpiece that the person uses to inhale
In many e-cigarettes, puffing activates the battery-powered heating device, which vaporizes the liquid in the cartridge. The person then inhales the resulting aerosol or vapor (called vaping).
How vape companies trick youth with advertising
- Fun colorful devices (video games)
- Advertising of vape shops-neon lights, light strips, colorful signs, wavy balloons, which make vape shops look like carnivals. Free giveaways
- Flavors: E-cigarette companies use attractive flavors, such as fruit, candy, mint, and menthol, to appeal to young people.
- Celebrity endorsements: E-cigarette companies use social media influencers and celebrities to promote their products as “cool” and “fashionable.”
- Emotional appeal: E-cigarette companies use cartoons, animation, and humor to make vaping seem normal, sexy, funny, or cool. They may also poke fun at vaping addiction, school environments, and adults’ inability to recognize vapes.
- Pro-vaping content: E-cigarette companies encourage their followers to share and interact with their content, which can include positive videos and photos about vaping.
Dangers of Vaping
- Lung Damage: Vaping can cause significant damage to the lungs. Teens have been reported to suffer from severe respiratory issues, including lung injuries and conditions like popcorn lung, which leads to breathing difficulties and chronic cough.
- Nicotine Addiction: Many vapes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to nicotine addiction, which can impact brain development, leading to cognitive and behavioral problems.
- Harmful Chemicals: Vapes contain various harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, acrolein, and diacetyl. These substances can cause long-term damage to the lungs and other organs.
- Unknown Ingredients: The liquid used in vapes can contain unknown and unregulated substances, making it difficult to ascertain the full extent of their harmful effects.
- Anxiety and Depression: Nicotine addiction and exposure to the chemicals in vapes have been linked to increased levels of anxiety and depression among teens.
- Behavioral Changes: Vaping can lead to mood swings, irritability, and other behavioral changes, negatively impacting a teen’s social interactions and academic performance.
- Poisoning: Accidental ingestion of vape liquid, especially by younger siblings, can result in poisoning due to the high concentration of nicotine and other toxic substances.
- Learning Difficulties: Nicotine exposure during adolescence can interfere with brain development, leading to difficulties in learning, memory, and attention.
- Poor Academic Performance: Teens who vape may experience a decline in academic performance due to the negative impact on their cognitive abilities and increased absenteeism due to health issues.
- Legal Consequences: Underage Possession ticket for having any tobacco device, including a vape device or juice.
Where youth are getting vapes
- Vape products are everywhere on social media, and many brands sell directly from their accounts.
- Website age gates are easily bypassed, and kids use a parent’s name for shipping.
- Convenience stores, gas stations and other retail/vape shops may not enforce the law. Report underage sales to 1-877-CTP-1373 or 1-800-287-1373 or at www.fda.gov/tobacco/ucm330160.htm . You can also report local shops for selling to minors by contacting your local police department.
- Many vape companies have names that wouldn’t raise a red flag on parents’ credit card statements.
- Orders can be shipped to Amazon lockers, available in supermarkets and convenience stores. Orders can be shipped to homes when parents are at work.
- Friends and family members. Know who your kids are friends with. If you or a family member vape, be sure to lock up vaping devices and juices to anyone under the age of 21.
Is my child/teen vaping?
- Don’t assume it’s a scented candle that is making their room smell sweet. Before the recent ban, many vaping pods included sweet flavors that were often preferred by teens and may linger in the air after vaping. While these were recently banned to curb teen vaping, your child may still have some of the banned product left or maybe you recall a sweet smell in your child’s room in the past.
- See unfamiliar pens or USB Drives? While e-cigarettes come in many forms, the most common look like a writing pen or a USB flash drive. E-cigarette devices, however, will have holes on each end.
- E-cigarette users commonly experience nosebleeds.
- Vaping can cause dehydration or dry mouth, most likely cased by an ingredient in e-liquid called propylene glycol. If your teen is drinking more water or has dark circles under their eyes (a symptom of dehydration), you may want to investigate further.
- Recent research is linking e-cigarettes to mouth sores that won’t heal as well as a smoker’s cough. Apparently, vapors can upset the immune system and have negative effects on human cells.
- Most vaping devices require rechargeable or batteries that require changing every two hours of use. Some, however, can be charged with a USB cable. Be aware of unfamiliar batteries or battery charging devices.
- If you find items such as discarded cotton balls, thin metallic oils, pods or atomizers (the small devices that turn the liquid into vapor) in your child’s backpack or trash, your child is likely vaping.
What can parents do?
- Keep talking. Talk to your kids about vaping early on. Be honest and open to your child’s perspective. Keep talking to your kids as they get older.
- Set Clear Expectations: Establish clear rules and consequences regarding vaping. Consistent enforcement can deter teens from starting or continuing to vape.
- Monitor and Support: Keep an eye on your teen’s behavior and provide support if they are struggling with peer pressure or addiction. Seek professional help if necessary.
- Think beyond cigs. Explain that nicotine addiction is a risk with smokeless tobacco, hookah, and e-cigarettes.
- Make your house smoke-free. Permitting smoking in your home or car is prohibited. Spend time in places where tobacco is prohibited.
- Lead by example. Quitting smoking or vaping is the best option. Avoid smoking in front of your kids.
- Prepare your kids for peer pressure. Discuss what they might say to a friend who offers one.
- Stay alert! These devices need to be charged. If there is a charger that is unfamiliar, definitely look into that further.
National Resources
- Truth Initiative: Provides education, support, and resources to help individuals quit vaping and smoking. truthinitiative.org
- Smokefree Teen: Offers tools and tips to help teens quit vaping, including a text message program. teen.smokefree.gov
- American Lung Association: Provides resources and support for quitting vaping, including the “Not On Tobacco” program for teens. 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) lung.org
- National Cancer Institute (NCI) Quitline: Offers free, confidential support for quitting vaping and smoking. 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848) smokefree.gov
- The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: Provides advocacy, resources, and information to prevent youth vaping and help those trying to quit. tobaccofreekids.org
WV Resources
- West Virginia Tobacco Quitline: Offers free cessation services, including counseling and nicotine replacement therapy, to residents of West Virginia. 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) Website: wvquitline.com
- West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR): Provides various programs and resources for quitting tobacco and vaping, including educational materials and support services. 1-800-642-8589 Website: dhhr.wv.gov
- West Virginia University (WVU) Health Sciences Center: Offers research-based programs and resources to help individuals quit vaping and smoking. Website: hsc.wvu.edu