How to Talk About Vaping With Young People

Rose, 21 years old who was addicted to smoking vape when the technology was first used in middle school. Then social media spread the word about it. Vaping's popularity has reversed a decline of decades in nicotine consumption among teens, reversing it and setting off a new surge.

Vaping involves using an electronic cigarette that allows you to breathe the vapor from liquid inhaled through a cartridge or tank. The vapor is composed in small quantities of nicotine, metals and chemicals. It could contain carcinogenic volatile organic substances. Also, the vapor could contain substances that are irritating or toxic. For example, diacetyl that is believed to trigger bronchiolitis obliterans, (popcorn lung) as well as flavorings like EVALI (e-cigarette-associated lung injuries).

Although vaping may be more safe than smoking cigarettes, some studies suggest that it is. Nicotine is addictive and may cause brain damage, increase blood pressure levels and blood sugar levels. Even the e-liquids which claim that they are free of nicotine have small quantities of nicotine.

The Food and Drug Administration requires that e-cigarettes be submitted for approval prior to being offered for sale within the United States. A lot of e-cigarettes are sold in the United States without approval. A few manufacturers took advantage of the time lag between the submission to enforcement, and re-exported their products to other countries. The FDA is stepping up the removal of products that are not approved out of the marketplace, and experts expect that to keep going. For more information on smoking cigarettes and ways to speak about vape it with the young persons in your lives, see this fact sheet.