E-cigarettes and Vaping

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