Photo by: Alexandra Paula Chiscareanu (Pexels)
Electronic cigarettes are also known as vapes or e-cigarettes. Children are more likely to vape if their parents do so or if there are cigarettes in the home. The average age that kids experiment with vaping is thirteen years old (CDC.) It’s becoming more prevalent with tweens and younger children because of its accessibility. Youth females vape more frequently than males (CDC) but that changes in adulthood depending on the age. Adults in the LGBTQ community are at a 13% higher risk of vaping (NIH.)
1.2 million high schoolers and 410k middle schoolers are currently vaping. The real question is why are kids interested in this activity to begin with? Here are a few reasons why youth may be drawn to vaping:
*appealing flavors
*social influence
*marketing/advertising
*ease of use/concealment
*misconceptions about safety
*coping mechanism
It’s been discussed that kids conceal vaping in school more than parents think. Since many products are unscented, there has been evidence of kids vaping in school on a regular basis. Stairwells, bathrooms, parking lots, and under bleachers are convenient spots. There are hoodies, jackets, and purses made with hidden compartments. Other products include pens, phones, USB drives, and Smart watches. Some students have admitted vaping right in the classroom!
E-cigarettes may be considered a gateway since they are made to deliver other substances including cannabis. Children are constantly targeted with advertisements via the internet, magazines, TV, movies, and retail stores. 21 is the legal age to purchase vapes but smoke shops have been known to sell to middle schoolers. Here is a list of health problems that are directly related to vaping:
*Popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans)
*Nicotine addiction (harms adolescent brain development)
*VOC’s/harmful chemicals (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, diacetyl, glycidol, heavy metals)
*Risk of heart problems (doubles the risk of heart attack, Mott)
*Burns/injuries (faulty batteries explode, NIH)
*Seizures (can cause brain damage)
“Popcorn lung” has sidelined many children including youth athletes because of a build-up of scar tissue which leads to diminished lung capacity. The condition causes a persistent cough, wheezing, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Popcorn lung can be treated but is considered an irreversible lung disease and can’t be cured. Quitting vaping can aid in lung repair although scarring may be permanent.
Asthma, COPD, increased blood pressure, and chronic cough all have been associated with vaping. It may also cause dry mouth, dehydration, nosebleeds, mood disorders, sleep disruption, anxiety, and dark circles under the eyes.
E-cigarette advertisements are appealing to kids and glorified by celebrities. Geek Bar, Innokin, Smok, and Vaporesso are some of the most popular brands. The FDA lifted its ban on Juul products in the US (still banned in Canada.) Here is a list of celebrities who have been seen vaping in public (Ouch! Magazine):
Katy Perry
Leonardo DiCaprio
Johnny Depp
Simon Cowell
Michelle Rodriguez
Lindsay Lohan
Jack Nicholson
Samuel L. Jackson
Lady Gaga
Robert Pattinson
Many parents are in denial about vaping and believe their kids know the risks. They also assume their kid has never even tried it. Some parents want to see strict mandates imposed in order to tame the vaping epidemic (enforcement of laws against selling to minors, increased taxes, limit advertising on social media, and require warning labels on packaging.) An article written by the University of Michigan Mott has a lot of good information for parents.
The rise in youth vaping is a growing concern that calls for increased awareness, education, and preventative action. What may seem like a harmless habit to many kids is, in fact, a serious health risk with long-term consequences. Parents, educators, and communities must work together to provide accurate information, open lines of communication, and healthy alternatives. Protecting the well-being of our children starts with understanding the risks.
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