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Vaping & E-Cigarettes

E-cigarettes come in multiple shapes and sizes. All e-cigarettes contain a battery, microprocessor, atomizer, and cartridge or tank.​

Using an e-cigarette is often called "vaping." The aerosol in e-cigarettes contains harmful substances such as nicotine, nickel, tin, lead, flavoring like diacetyl, and other ultrafine particles. Nicotine is in most e-cigarettes. It is an addictive chemical that can harm adolescent and young adult brain development.

Resources

What We Know About Vapes / E-cigarettes

  • They are a gateway to smoking among youth.
    There is substantial evidence that e-cigarette use by youth and young adults increases their risk of ever using conventional cigarettes.
  • They are addictive.
    There is substantial evidence that e-cigarette use results in symptoms of dependence on e-cigarettes.
  • They are toxic.
    There is conclusive evidence that in addition to nicotine, most e-cigarettes contain and emit numerous potentially toxic substances.
  • Secondhand vapor/aerosol is toxic.
    It's not just water vapor. There is conclusive evidence that e-cigarette use increases airborne concentrations of particulate matter and nicotine in indoor environments compared with background levels.
  • They can cause serious injury.
    There is conclusive evidence that e-cigarettes can explode and cause burns and projectile injuries. Such risk is significantly increased when batteries are of poor quality, stored improperly, or are being modified by users.”
  • They are poisonous.
    There is conclusive evidence that intentional or accidental exposure to e-liquids (from drinking, eye contact, or skin contact) can result in adverse health effects such as seizures, anoxic brain injury, vomiting, and lactic acidosis. Intentionally or accidentally drinking or injecting e-liquids can be fatal.
  • There are safer, more effective ways for adults to quit smoking.

Safer Ways to Quit
A group of different colored lipsticks. A group of different colored lipsticks.

 

For Parents & Teachers

The teenage years are the most important time for brain development, so it's especially important that parents and teachers protect teen brains from harmful substances.

Using an e-cigarette is vaping. Common terms youth use to describe vaping products include:

  • E-cigs
  • E-pens
  • E-hookahs
  • Vape sticks
  • Vape pens
  • Mods (short for mechanical modification)
  • Personal vaporizers
  • Juuling (using a Juul-brand e-cigarette)

Most people know what cigarettes look and smell like, but vape products come with their own unique styles and flavors that may be difficult to spot.

Signs your child or student is vaping:

  • Behavioral: mood swings, extra USB-type devices, secretive behavior, irritability or anger
  • Physical: disrupted sleep patterns, thirst, coughing, weight loss, chest or lung pain, sweet scents

SLCo Use Rates

SHARP Data