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Vaping devices date back to 2003 and were originally invented as an alternative to conventional cigarettes for adult tobacco users trying to quit. However, they did not gain popularity until more recently, and instead of attracting adults looking to quit smoking, they are responsible for why e-cigarettes have been the most used tobacco product among youth since 2014. With vaping being a more recent trend, there is still so much we don't know about their potential health impacts. However, we know enough to declare it a nationwide public health crisis.
So, what exactly is a vape? Vapes don't just produce water vapor. The aerosol produced by a vape contains chemicals, oils, heavy metals, and of course the primary ingredient-- nicotine. Nicotine is the addictive substance found in cigarettes and can negatively impact the development of the adolescent brain. One single vape contains the same amount of nicotine as a whole pack of cigarettes. In addition to vapes being extremely addictive, nicotine elevates blood pressure, and increase the odds of developing heart disease. Perhaps it goes without saying, but vaping is also bad for the lungs. The chemicals leave behind a particulate residue that creates inflammation and makes existing disease worse.
What do we know about the long-term consequences of vaping? The answer is simple. This technology is so new we have no guess as to what the consequences of vaping would be for someone who has had a long term habit of use. Using vapes also makes it much more likely for a person to switch and start smoking traditional cigarettes. For these reasons, one message needs to be clarified among parents and students -- vaping is not for kids.
Yet, with all this knowledge, the tobacco industry has continued to spend billions of dollars to market its products to youth in attempt to replace smokers who have either quit or died (in 2019 tobacco companies spent $8.2 billion in one year -- $22.5 million dollars a day -- marketing their products). With the appeal of countless flavor options and their discreet design, it is clear who the tobacco companies are targeting. Vape "juice" comes in every flavor imaginable, such as cheesecake, gummy bear, cotton candy, blue raspberry, and watermelon apple. This makes it particularly hard for an adult to detect or smell the products on kids. In addition, vaping devices resemble everyday items like pens, flash drives, and highlighters which are traditional school supplies. Modern day vape devices just blend right into the background.
It seems like new vape shops and comparable businesses are popping up everywhere these days. This wouldn't be a bad thing if the intended users (adults 21 and up) were the only ones gaining access to their products. Unfortunately, research shows us that vaping among adults remains low (~3%), while youth aged 18 or under are the demographic with the highest percentage of users (data from a 2022 national survey showed more than 2.5 million U.S. middle and high school students currently used e-cigarettes in the past 30-days). It is up to us adults to talk to our children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends about the dangers of vaping and why it is important to never start in the first place. For teens that are already hooked, there is help available. "My Life My Quit" is a free program for youth under the age of 18 wanting to quit vaping or other tobacco products. If you are an adult looking to quit, there is help for you too. The Ohio Tobacco Quit Line is a telephonic service that is available for free to ALL Ohioans, regardless of insurance status. If enrolled, you will receive individual counseling and up to 8 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy. Call today at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Andrea Sites
Tobacco Prevention Specialist
Washington County Health Department