E-cigarettes are known by many names - the most common is e-cigarette. Other terms include e-cigs, vapes, vape pens, mods, and tanks.
When e-cigarettes were first introduced to the marketplace, their appeal was based on the possible reduction of negative health impacts vs. smoking traditional cigarettes. E-cigarette manufacturers exploited this point with targeted ad campaigns aimed at creating a new generation of users that offered enticing candy and fruit flavors.
Adolescents perceived that e-cigarettes with flavors were less harmful than those with tobacco flavors, creating a misperception that e-cigarettes with flavors did not contain nicotine. Despite growing evidence of health risks and harms, e-cigarette use has increased dramatically over the past decade. 2020 data reported that 1-in-5 high school students and 1-in-9 middle school students used e-cigarettes. These numbers are especially concerning because we know that the earlier in childhood an individual uses nicotine-containing products, the stronger the addiction...and the more difficult it is to quit.
Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that can harm the body, especially the adolescent brain. Adolescence is a time when youth are more likely to engage in substance use and experimentation because executive function and neurocognitive processes in their growing brain has not fully developed. Young people are also physiologically more vulnerable to addiction at this age.
Long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are not well understood, but scientific studies clearly indicate vaping is not a safe or healthy alternative to smoking. Knowledge and awareness are key. While research continues into the health consequences of this and other tobacco product trends, arm your teens with the facts so they can make more informed decisions.
Truth Initiative offers a helpful E-Cigarette Fact Sheet: https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/e-cigarettes-facts-stats-and-regulations
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