Teens and Vaping: What Parents Need to Know
Research shows a dramatic increase in the amount of teens using vaping devices in 2018 as compared to 2017.
An additional 1.3 million teens vaped in 2018
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-National Institute on Drug Abuse
What is Juuling?
Many teens believe the trend is harmless. Parents, too, may be unaware of how widespread vaping is, or be unaware of the signs that a student may have developed a new (and risky) habit.
What is Vaping?
Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which is produced by an e-cigarette or similar device.
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Generally a vaping device consists of a mouthpiece, a battery, a cartridge for containing the e-liquid or e-juice, and a heating component for the device that is powered by a battery. When the device is used, the battery heats up the heating component, which turns the contents of the e-liquid into an aerosol that is inhaled into the lungs and then exhaled.
The newest and most popular vaping product is the JUUL, which is a small, sleek device that resembles a computer USB flash drive. Its subtle design makes it easy to hide, which helps explain why it has become so popular among middle and high school students.
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These images show examples; exact devices may vary
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It comes in several enticing flavors like crème brûlée, mango and fruit medley. Every JUUL product contains a high dose of nicotine, with one pod or flavor cartridge containing about the same amount of nicotine as a whole pack of cigarettes
There is a lot of evidence
showing that the adolescent
brain is extremely sensitive to the effects of nicotine, and the brain doesn't stop growing until around age 25. Studies have shown us that nicotine can interfere with memory and attention processing, Most of the vaping devices contain nicotine, and in some cases, a higher level than what's found in regular cigarettes.
While e-cigs have been marketed as “safer” than traditional cigarettes, they contain extremely high levels of nicotine. and nicotine has proven to be highly addictive and difficult to break away from even for adults. While teens may believe they are only inhaling flavors with no harmful chemicals, that is not the case. Health experts warn that any product containing nicotine should be avoided because of its addictive properties as well as the negative health impacts that come along with its use like respiratory problems, acne, dehydration and decreased academic performance.
Is Vaping Addictive?
The Teen Brain
Raven, Kathleen. “Your Teen Is Underestimating the Health Risks of Vaping.” Medical Xpress - Medical Research Advances and Health News, Medical Xpress, 17 Sept. 2018, medicalxpress.com/news/2018-09-teen-underestimating-health-vaping.html.
Start a Conversation: Ask your child if they’ve ever heard of e-cigs or vaping, and if so, what do they think about it?
Liquid nicotine is poisonous if ingested and pods pose a safety risk, especially around young children who may accidentally consume pod contents. Teens often don’t think in terms of these types of risks, but it is especially important for families with young children in the household to be aware of the dangers posed by liquid nicotine. E-cigs have also been known to catch fire while stored in a pocket or backpack, causing serious burns.
DON'T Overlook
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DO Sign Up at the Right Time
What are the Signs?
Other Risks?
THUMB DRIVES THAT AREN’T THUMB DRIVES: E-cigs, and vape and JUUL pens hide in plain site by looking just like a regular pen, thumb drive or stylus.
INCREASED THIRST AND/OR NOSE BLEEDS or EXTREME DRY SKIN: Vaping is hydroscopic, which means the process removes hydration from the skin, mouth and throat.
RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES: Because nicotine inflates the lungs, doctors warn that some respiratory illnesses including pneumonia can be linked to vaping by introducing bacteria or fluid into the lining of the lungs.
DECREASED TASTE SENSATION: Lack of moisture in the mouth can also lead to decreased ability to detect flavor.
SWEET SCENTS: E-cig and vape liquids are marketed under sweet flavors that appeal to youth such as fruit loops, mint and bubble gum, and don’t smell like traditional nicotine cigarettes. If you start catching whiffs of sweet odors that can’t be traced back to a food source it could be a warning sign.
REDUCED CAFFEINE USE: Studies have shown that nicotine plus caffeine can cause anxiety and mood swings, and users of vaping products often reduce their caffeine intake as a result.
ACNE OUTBREAKS: If your teen is suddenly experiencing bad breakouts on skin that is otherwise under control, it could be due to nicotine use.
Additional Resources
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SOURCES
Clovis Unified School District, Medical Press, The National Institute on Drug Abuse, Physician's Weekly, and Johns Hopkins Medical Center
CREATED BY
Sheryl Garman/MUHSD Communications
