E-cigarettes
and Vaping
E-cigarettes and vaping have quickly become an epidemic across
the nation for our youth. The activity
was initially marketed as a safe alternative and replacement for smoking and
tobacco use. However, we are quickly
finding that E-cigarette use is anything but a safe alternative. In fact, the addictive qualities and harmful effects
are quite alarming. For this reason, I
want to share with you some of the facts about this harmful activity.
What are E-cigarettes and vaping?
·
E-cigarettes are an electronic device designed heat
a liquid to produce a ‘vapor’ for the user to inhale. The ‘vapor’ then delivers the nicotine into
the user’s system. The nicotine in an
E-cigarette has the same addictive and harmful effects as any tobacco or
nicotine product.
·
The vapor being inhaled is not a water vapor at
all. The inhaled compound is actually an
aerosol.
·
E-cigarettes have an allure for our children, as
they are flavored using a variety of flavors including: fruit, chocolate, candy, and assorted sweets.
o
Regulations are being proposed to limit this. Even so, flavors may be able to be purchased
on-line. Purchasing this product on-line
is another hazard for our students.
How do E-cigarettes work?
·
A battery is used to power each device. The battery then activates an atomizer, which
then heats the oil or liquid that is in a cartridge. The liquid is heated to the point that it
turns into an aerosol! The aerosol is then
inhaled.
What is in E-cigarette aerosol!
·
The aerosol is harmful, as the contents carry
many chemicals and particles. Those chemicals
and particles include: nicotine,
extremely fine materials that are carried deep into the lungs, diacetyl, a chemical
linked to very serious lung disease, and metals such as: tin, nickel, and lead.
What are the potential risks for our youth?
·
Brain Risks
o
Delayed brain development, mood disorders, and permanent
lowering of impulse control.
·
Addiction
·
Behavior Risks
·
Increased use of two or more tobacco products
·
Lung disease
What do e-cigarettes look like?
·
Permanent Markers
·
Water enhancer packaging
·
Flash Drives for your computer
·
Pens
Alarming Data and Information!
·
Among high school cigarette smokers more than 7 out of 10 also use e-cigarettes.
·
E-cigarettes can be used to deliver other drugs.
·
E-cigarette vaping related lung disease can develop
within 90 days of use.
·
In 2014, more than 7 of 10 middle and
high school students said they had seen e-cigarette advertising. Retail stores
were the most frequent source of this advertising, followed by the internet, TV
and movies, and magazines and newspapers.
·
From
2017 to 2018, current e-cigarette use—defined by use on at least one day in the
past 30 days—by high school students increased 78 percent, from 11.7 to 20.8
percent, accounting for a troubling 3.05 million American high school students
using e-cigarettes in 2018.
·
E-cigarette
use among middle school students is also on the rise, jumping 48 percent from
2017 to 2018. Today, a total of 4.9 percent of middle school students—or
570,000 kids—are current e-cigarette users.
We hope you find this information helpful. In the upcoming weeks, additional information,
such as short videos, access to websites, and other informational documents
will be shared.
Information presented and used in this document was found
from the following resources:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/youth-and-tobacco/2018-nyts-data-startling-rise-youth-e-cigarette-use
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html
U.S. Surgeon General: https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/getthefacts.html
