Tobacco products and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) can be dangerous to growing children and teens. Nicotine is a stimulant and the main ingredient in cigarettes and other tobacco products. E-cigarettes (also called vapes) may contain nicotine as well. Nicotine is an addictive substance that can cause people to become physically or psychologically dependent. Norton Children’s Prevention & Wellness offers educational programming to help keep kids from using these products.

Why is Vaping Popular Among Teens?

Vaping is tobacco rebranded with a modern design and technology that has successfully drawn teens toward the products. In addition to the new look and disassociation from cigarettes, there are some other reasons for its popularity with teens:

• Nicotine is addicting. The type of nicotine used in vapes reaches the brain much quicker than cigarettes. Vapes have a higher concentration of nicotine exposing users to higher doses of the drug.
• Vape flavors are very appealing to teens
• Vaping is discreet making it easy to do in public, at school and even at home without being noticed
• Cigarettes have a reputation for being harmful, unattractive and generally not accepted by the public. Vapes are the new fashionable product and teens don’t associate them with tobacco even though they are also nicotine products that have health risks too.
• Fitting in with peers or experimenting. Teens have a higher risk of vaping if their friends or family use e-cigarettes.

What is EVALI?

E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury is a rare, but serious, lung condition caused by vaping. From 2019 to 2020 hospitals across America, including Norton Children’s Hospital, saw a steep increase in hospitalizations for lung injuries associated with vaping. The leading cause of EVALI during this time were unregulated THC-containing vapes that were using vitamin E acetate in their liquids.

Although vitamin E acetate is no longer used in THC-containing vapes or e-cigarettes, the risk from harmful substances in new vapes still remains. Symptoms of EVALI include:

• rapid and difficulty breathing
• coughing
• chest pain
• fever
• low oxygen and coughing up blood in some cases

Warning Signs of Nicotine Addiction

• Smoking to help stay away from or “cope” with problems for a moment
• Keeping vaping a secret from family or friends
• Difficulty concentrating on school work
• Changing relationships
• Attempting to quit but failing
• Having anxiety or mood swings
• Feeling shaky or generally uncomfortable when attempting to stop vaping
• Needing larger and larger doses for desired effect, due to built-up tolerance

Talk to Kids About Vaping

If your teen is not vaping, rather than ignoring the subject, openly discuss it. This can help them if they are put in the situation where they might consider using an e-cigarette. They can have all the facts and will be ready to make an informed choice in that moment. It’s important to remind kids about the risks that vaping can cause them.

What If My Child Is Already Vaping?

It is important to understand teens are more susceptible to peer pressure and marketing, and they don’t assess risks the same as adults. Helping a teen find resources to help quit nicotine is a good start. You can begin by having a conversation with your teen. Here are a series questions to begin the conversation with your teen. Choose what you feel comfortable with and get the conversation started:

• How did you come to try vaping? Did you feel pressured? Did you use it as an outlet?
• Do you have stressors in your life right now? Can you tell me about them?
• What are other outlets you have in your life, or could imagine in your life, that would help you destress and are healthier for your mental health, physical health and future?
• Did you look into the side effects of vaping before you tried it? If not, let’s talk about it.
• Have you considered the effects it might have on your life as you continue to grow and develop? If not, let’s talk about nicotine addiction and long-term effects.
• Do others around you vape? Do you feel awkward if you choose not to vape too? Do you think others care if you smoke or not? What is a way you could say no without feeling uncomfortable?
• If you or someone in the household vapes:
  • Does seeing (insert name or self) smoking make you think vaping is acceptable?
  • What are the rules at your school if you get caught vaping? Will vaping affect whether you can participate in athletics or in school? Why or why not?

If they are already vaping and are not open to discussing it or listening to you, don’t stop there! Consider setting up an appointment with your child’s pediatrician so your teen can learn from a health expert about the health concerns they need to be aware of. If vaping is or might be related to stress, depression or another mental roadblock, consider finding a mental health professional for your teen to talk to openly with. Resources could include:

• School counselor, if available
• Counseling sessions provided by a parent’s place of work for use by family members
• A licensed therapist who specializes in working with teenagers may be covered by medical insurance

Norton Children’s Prevention & Wellness offers free tobacco cessation classes for teens. Group sessions meet once weekly for seven weeks to discuss the importance of having good health, learn tools to prepare for tough moments and support each other on the journey to quitting.

This is a voluntary program for teens ages 14 to 17. To register for this class, visit NortonChildrens.com/Classes&Events or call (502) 629-1234, option 4.

Free tobacco cessation classes also are available for individuals ages 18 and older. Visit NortonHealthcare.com/Smoking for more information and available classes.