Vaping Prevention and E-cigarette Use

E-cigarettes and vaping products are dangerous and addictive. These products are marketed with modern packaging, bright colors and fruity flavors to make electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping look harmless — but they’re not. Let’s clear the air about the dangers of vaping and nicotine.

What Is Vaping? Is It Safer Than Cigarettes?

Vaping is the act of inhaling a mist form of liquid from a battery-powered device called an e-cigarette or vape pen. Despite the name, vape liquid isn’t water; it’s an aerosol that contains tiny particles of heavy metals and other chemicals that are harmful to the lungs and other parts of the body. Other aerosol mists include sunscreen, hair spray and deodorant.

No vaping products or e-cigarettes are safe — especially for children and teens. E-cigarettes are not only harmful to breathe in; they also contain harmful ingredients, including nicotine. Nicotine is the main addictive substance in tobacco products, as well as e-cigarettes. With repeated use, the brain gets used to having nicotine. This creates an addiction, or dependence, needed to just feel OK.

Warning Signs of Nicotine Addiction

Nearly 9 out of 10 adults who use nicotine daily started before they were age 18. Children and teens are uniquely susceptible to the effects of nicotine and nicotine addiction, because their brains are still developing. Nicotine use can negatively affect attention span, learning, mood and impulse control.

When someone addicted to nicotine stops using it, their body and brain must adjust. This can result in temporary symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, which may include:

• Feeling irritable, jumpy, restless or anxious
• Feeling sad or down
• Having trouble sleeping
• Having a hard time concentrating
• Feeling hungry
• Craving nicotine

Nicotine addiction withdrawals are what make quitting so hard. However, withdrawal symptoms will fade over time as the brain gets used to not having nicotine.

What is EVALI?

EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury) is a serious health condition linked to vaping. Hospitals saw a spike in cases between 2019 and 2020, mostly from unregulated THC (the main psychoactive compound in cannabis) vapes with vitamin E acetate. Though that ingredient is now banned, the risk remains in unregulated products.

Symptoms include:

• Rapid, difficult breathing
• Cough (sometimes coughing blood)
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Low oxygen

Talk to Kids About Nicotine Use

The decision to vape is an important one that can have long-term consequences. Rather than ignoring the subject, openly discuss it with your child. This can help them talk about how they want to handle a situation where they might consider using a nicotine product. Talking openly with your child will allow them to feel prepared to make an informed choice.

The American Lung Association has good tips here about how to start the conversation.

Use ARE to Stay Nicotine-free

AVOID

Stay away from people who are vaping and places where vaping is happening.

• If you think there will be vaping, skip the activity.
• Plan to spend time with friends who don’t vape.
• Say something like this to avoid a vaping situation: “Wish I could go, but I really need to study for a math quiz. Maybe another time!”

REFUSE

Sometimes you can’t avoid it. Have simple ways to say no.

• “I love singing too much — can’t hit high notes without good lungs.”
• “My parents would be disappointed, and I don’t want to lose their trust.”
• “I’m staying in shape for sports, so I avoid stuff like that.”

EXIT

If refusing doesn’t work, leave the situation or change the activity.

• Suggest something else: “Anyone seen the new Halo trailer? It’s so fire.”
• Go to another area: “Where’s the bathroom?”
• Make an excuse to leave: “Wow, it’s already 8 p.m. I’ve got to head out.”
• Use a preplanned code word with a parent to signal a need to get home. (For example, “I’m out with friends. Did you ever hear back from Aunt Carla?”)

What If My Child Is Already Vaping?

It’s important to keep in mind that teens are more susceptible to peer pressure and marketing, and they don’t assess risks the same as adults. Help them understand their choices and why quitting is important.

The American Lung Association’s course Talking to Your Child About Vaping: A Training for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers offers a free one-hour interactive online learning module designed to help adults talk to their children (ages 8 to 20) about vaping and nicotine in the best possible way. It’s designed to help recognize the signs of nicotine and tobacco product use and give you an effective way to prevent, intervene and support a child during the quitting process.

If your child already is vaping and not open to discussing it or listening to you, don’t stop there! Consider making an appointment with your child’s pediatrician so they can learn from a professional 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 child to talk 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, which may be covered by medical insurance

Norton Children’s Prevention & Wellness offers free tobacco and vaping cessation classes for teens. Group sessions meet once weekly for seven weeks and cover the importance of having good health and tools to prepare for tough moments, along with support on the journey to quitting. This is a voluntary program for teens (ages 14 to 17.) To register for the classes, visit NortonChildrens.com/Classes or call (502) 629-1234, option 4.

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