/Tobacco | Vaping | Nicotine Prevention
ESCAPE
THE VAPE
Don't let vape steal your breath away. We're here to help.
Hey everyone, welcome! This is a space for you to get the real deal on tobacco, nicotine, and vaping. We know there’s a lot of info out there, and it can be confusing. So let’s break it down, no lectures, just facts.
In 2024,
middle and high school students used vaping products.
of those students reported that they've tried to quit in the last year.
What’s the Hype All About?
You see it everywhere – friends, social media, maybe even ads. Vaping, e-cigarettes, “smokeless” tobacco, regular cigarettes… it can seem like everyone’s doing it, or at least talking about it. But what exactly is it, and what does it do to your body?
Vaping & E-Cigarettes: More Than Just “Water Vapor”
Ever heard someone say vaping is just harmless water vapor? Think again. Vapes and e-cigarettes heat up a liquid to create an aerosol (that’s the “cloud” you see). This liquid usually contains:
- Nicotine: This is a highly addictive chemical found naturally in tobacco plants. It’s what makes you crave more and can mess with your developing brain.
- Flavorings: These might sound yummy (think candy, fruit, or dessert flavors), but many of them are chemicals that are NOT safe to inhale into your lungs.
- Other chemicals: We’re talking about things like formaldehyde (used to preserve dead bodies!), heavy metals (like lead and nickel), and ultrafine particles that can irritate and damage your lungs.
The Big Takeaway: Vaping is NOT just harmless water vapor. It’s a mix of chemicals, and often, a whole lot of nicotine.
Tobacco Products: Not Just for Grandparents Anymore
When you hear “tobacco,” you might think of old-school cigarettes, but there’s more to it:
- Cigarettes: Still a major problem, they contain thousands of chemicals, many of which are poisonous and cause cancer.
- Smokeless Tobacco: This includes chewing tobacco, dip, and pouches. You don’t light it up, but you still get a hefty dose of nicotine and other chemicals that can cause mouth cancer, gum disease, and tooth loss.
- Cigars & Cigarillos: They might look different, but they still contain tobacco and the same harmful chemicals as cigarettes.
The Big Takeaway: No matter how you use it, tobacco is packed with chemicals that are super bad for your health.
Negative Effects That Nicotine and Vaping Can Have On Your Brain & Body
You’re at a super important time in your life! Your brain is still developing until your mid-20s. Here’s how nicotine and vaping can mess with that:
- Addiction: Nicotine is incredibly addictive. Just a few uses can get you hooked, making it super hard to stop.
- Brain Changes: Nicotine can affect how your brain develops, impacting your attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.
- Immune System: Vaping damages immune system cells and weakens your body's ability fight germs.
- Anxiety & Depression: While some people might think nicotine helps with stress, it can actually make anxiety and depression worse in the long run.
- Lung Damage: Vaping can cause serious lung injuries, and tobacco use can lead to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer.
- Heart Problems: Nicotine can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, putting stress on your heart.
- Skin: Vaping increases rashes, dry skin and acne.
Think about it: Is a few minutes of “feeling cool” worth potentially messing up your future?
The Truth About “Cool”
Let’s be real. Marketing for these products often tries to make them seem cool, rebellious, or sophisticated. But what’s really cool?
- Being in Control: Making your own choices, not being controlled by an addiction.
- Having Energy: Being able to participate in sports, hobbies, and activities without getting winded or feeling sick.
- Saving Money: Vaping and tobacco products are expensive! Think about all the other awesome things you could spend that money on.
- Fresh Breath & Healthy Smile: No one wants yellow teeth, stinky breath, or constant coughing.
- Being a Leader: Setting a positive example for your friends and younger kids.
What if My Friends Are Doing It?
It can be tough when your friends are trying things you’re not sure about. Remember:
- You don’t have to follow the crowd. True friends respect your choices.
- Have an escape plan. If you’re in a situation where you feel pressured, have an excuse ready (“I’ve got practice later,” “My parents would kill me,” “I’m not feeling well”).
- Suggest something else. Instead of vaping, suggest doing something fun like playing a game, watching a movie, or hanging out somewhere else.
- Talk to someone you trust. A parent, teacher, counselor, or older sibling can help you navigate these situations.
Are you a teen or adult?
FAQs
- What is vaping? Vaping is when you use an electronic device (like a vape pen, e-cigarette, or mod) to heat a liquid (called e-liquid or vape juice) into an aerosol that you inhale. This aerosol often looks like vapor, but it's actually tiny particles.
- Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes? While vaping might expose you to fewer harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes, it's NOT harmless. Vaping still introduces chemicals, including nicotine, into your body that can be damaging, especially to developing brains and lungs. We're still learning a lot about the long-term effects.
- What's in vape juice? E-liquids typically contain nicotine (though some claim to be nicotine-free), flavorings, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerin. Some of these ingredients, especially certain flavorings, can be harmful when heated and inhaled.
- Are "nicotine-free" vapes truly safe? Even if a vape claims to be "nicotine-free," it can still contain other harmful chemicals, including heavy metals and ultrafine particles, that can irritate and damage your lungs. Plus, sometimes products labeled "nicotine-free" actually contain nicotine!
- What are the short-term effects of vaping? Short-term effects can include coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even lung injury (like EVALI). Nicotine can also make you feel anxious or agitated.
- What are the long-term effects of vaping? The long-term effects are still being studied, but concerns include chronic lung damage, heart problems, increased risk of addiction to other substances, and negative impacts on brain development.
- What is nicotine? Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical found naturally in tobacco plants. It's also the main addictive substance in most vapes and all traditional tobacco products.
- Why is nicotine so addictive? Nicotine changes the way your brain works, creating a strong desire for more. It affects the reward pathways in your brain, making you feel good temporarily, but then leading to cravings and withdrawal symptoms when you don't have it.
- How does nicotine affect my developing brain? Your brain continues to develop until your mid-20s. Nicotine exposure during this critical period can harm the parts of your brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. It can also increase your risk of addiction to other drugs later in life.
- What are the signs of nicotine addiction? Signs of addiction include strong cravings, feeling anxious or irritable when you can't vape/use tobacco, continuing to use even when you want to quit, and needing more and more to get the same effect.
- Can I get addicted to nicotine from vaping, even if I've never smoked before? Absolutely! Vaping products often contain very high levels of nicotine, making it easy to become addicted even if you've never used any other tobacco product.
- What are traditional tobacco products? Traditional tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, dip, snus), and hookah. They all contain tobacco leaves and often many other harmful chemicals.
- Why is smoking cigarettes so bad for me? Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals, many of which are poisonous and cancer-causing. Smoking dramatically increases your risk of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, emphysema, and many other serious health problems.
- Is smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, dip) safer than smoking? No. While you're not inhaling smoke, smokeless tobacco still delivers nicotine and many other harmful chemicals directly into your body. It can cause oral cancers (mouth, throat, tongue), gum disease, tooth loss, and nicotine addiction.
- What is secondhand smoke/aerosol? Secondhand smoke is the smoke exhaled by a smoker or from the burning end of a cigarette. Secondhand aerosol is the "vapor" exhaled by a vaper. Both contain harmful chemicals that can affect anyone exposed to them, even if they aren't using the product themselves.
Getting Help & Making Choices
I'm worried I'm addicted to vaping/nicotine. What should I do?
You're not alone, and help is available! Talk to a trusted adult (parent, teacher, school counselor, doctor) or check out our resources page. There are proven strategies and support systems to help you quit.
My friends are all vaping. How can I say no without feeling left out?
It can be tough, but remember that your health comes first. Practice saying "no thanks" confidently. You can also come up with an excuse ("I'm trying to stay healthy," "My throat hurts," "My parents would kill me"). Find friends who respect your choices and focus on activities that don't involve vaping.
Where can I find more reliable information?
Always look for information from trusted sources like government health organizations (CDC, NIH), medical associations, and reputable youth health websites. Be wary of information from social media or sources that seem to promote vaping or tobacco.
What are the benefits of quitting vaping/tobacco?
The benefits are huge! You'll improve your lung health, reduce your risk of serious diseases, have more energy, save money, and feel more in control of your life. It's one of the best decisions you can make for your future.
Need Help? Want More Info? You’re not alone!
If you or someone you know is struggling with nicotine addiction, or if you just want to learn more, check out these resources:
- Truth Initiative
- Smokefree.gov
- The National Cancer Institute
- Talk to a trusted adult: Your parents, a school counselor, or a coach can be great resources.
For more information go here
Talking with your child about smoking & vaping
Talking with your Child About Smoking & Vaping
Tips for Talking with Your Teens About Vaping
Parents are the biggest influence in their children’s lives, which is why it’s so important to have frequent discussions about the risks of smoking and vaping. Don’t assume that your child knows how you feel or what the rules are—be clear about your expectations!
Signs that your child is vaping
1. Unexplained Sweet Scent
The vapor produced by e-cigarettes can be either odorless or scented, but given the choice, most teenagers will choose the scented (or flavored) vapor. So instead of nasty tobacco smoke, you might begin to smell a variety of candy flavored scents like Watermelon Wave, Berry lush, or Gummi Bear wafting through the room…and your teenager has nothing in his or her mouth at the time. This sweet-smelling aroma may be the after-effects of cloud vapor.
2. Pens and USB Drives that Don’t Look Normal
E-cigs come in many forms. They can resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. However, the most common e-cigs among teens are JUULs – sleek devices that resemble a USB flash drive – and vape pens that resemble traditional pens. If you come across an unusual looking pen or USB drive, often with holes on each end, chances are it’s a vaping device and not a typical pen or USB drive.
3. Caffeine Intake
Nicotine and caffeine together increase irritability, mood swings, and anxiety. Young people who vape will typically cut back on or avoid caffeine intake to offset these effects. If your child stops asking for soda or Starbucks on the grocery list, that may be a red flag.
4. Increased Thirst
Vaping increases dehydration by drying out the mouth and throat. Dehydration, often described by Vapers as dry or cotton mouth, is actually a fairly common side effect of vaping. Propylene Glycol, one of the ingredients in e-liquid, is the primary cause of the dehydration. The substance has been shown to absorb and hold in water molecules, preventing them from being absorbed into the body. Therefore, if you notice your teen drinking an abnormal amount of liquids, this may be a warning sign your teen is vaping.
5. Nosebleeds
Vaping dries out the nasal passageways. A dry nose can crack and bleed. If your child experiences nosebleeds or has red, cracking skin around the nose, this is another red flag.
