Vaping

Types of vape pens. Photo by Elsa Olofsson on Unsplash

Vaping or the use of electronic devices work by heating a liquid, which usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals that help to make the aerosol or vapor. Users inhale e-cigarette aerosol into their lungs and exhale the aerosol or vapor into the air.

Bystanders can also breathe in this aerosol when the user exhales it into the air. E-cigarette aerosol is NOT a harmless “water vapor.” The e-cigarette aerosol users breathe from the device and exhale can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including:

  • Nicotine
  • Ultrafine particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs
  • Flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Cancer-causing chemicals
  • Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead

Vape pens or e-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes. Most have a battery, a heating element, and a place to hold a liquid. Some look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens, and other everyday items. Larger devices such as tank systems, or “mods,” do not look like other tobacco products.

They are also known by many different names. They are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,”, “JUULs”, “tank systems,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).”

The liquid used in e-cigarettes often contains nicotine and flavorings. This liquid is sometimes called “e-juice,” “e-liquid,” “vape juice,” or “vape liquid.” Vape devices can also be used to deliver THC (marijuana) and other drugs.

Why Is Vaping Unsafe?

  • It is extremely addictive -Most vape cartridges/e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the addictive drug in regular cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products.
  • A recent CDC study found that 99% of the vape cartridges/e-cigarettes sold in in the United States contained nicotine.
  • Some e-cigarette labels do not disclose they contain nicotine, and some e-cigarettes marketed as containing 0% nicotine have been found to contain nicotine.
  • Nicotine can harm the developing adolescent brain. 
  • Using nicotine in adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.
  • Each time a new memory is created, or a new skill is learned, stronger connections – or synapses – are built between brain cells. Young people’s brains build synapses faster than adult brains. Nicotine changes the way these synapses are formed.
  • Using nicotine in adolescence may also increase risk for future addiction to other drugs.
  • Risk of device explosion or catching fire.
  • Thousands of vape related cases of serious lung disease have been reported.
  • Vape related deaths have been reported nationwide.

The short-and long-term risks and consequences of vaping are not worth it. If you are already vaping and have decided to quit, you can call 1-877-U-CAN-NOW to speak with a quit coach and develop a plan.