The rise of vaping amongst teens has become a serious concern for parents. Vaping, the act of inhaling and exhaling aerosolized substances often flavored to appeal and sell to younger audiences, comes with serious health risks. Most vapes, also known as e-cigarettes, contain flavored tobacco which is highly addictive and can lead to addiction and health consequences such as cancer. This year alone, 1.63 million middle school and high school students are using e-cigarettes. Recognizing the signs of vaping is crucial for parents to intervene early to decrease the chances of adverse health effects.
There are many reasons why teens choose to vape. Popular reasons why teens use include:
- Tobacco advertisements target middle and high-school-aged youth
- vapes are easily accessible and come in many flavors
- peer pressure
The different types of devices are dab pens, dab rings, mods, mod-pods, vapes, ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery systems), tanks and e-cigs. The use of a vape can be referred to as “vaping” or “juuling”. The CDC states that “Among students who currently used e-cigarettes: 55.6% used disposable e-cigarettes, 15.6% used prefilled or refillable pods or cartridges, and 7.0% used tanks or mod systems.”
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Susan Ringler-Cerniglia, MPH, from the Washtenaw County Health Department wants to add that parents should know that vapes can contain “both nicotine and marijuana” and that the “nicotine levels in vapes are so incredibly high and not regulated”.
The risks of vaping are serious. Risks include:
- becoming addicted to nicotine
- anxiety or depression
- becoming a smoker of regular cigarettes
- problems sleeping
- chronic bronchitis
- damage to the lungs
- impotence
Physical signs your teen may be vaping are:
- coughing
- wheezing
- new smells such as fruity smells
- shortness of breath
- frequent pneumonia or bronchitis
- difficulty breathing after physical activity
- increased thirst
- nosebleeds
When a teen is vaping, their behavior may also change. You may notice them becoming secretive, taking frequent trips outside or to the bathroom, or a decline in their grades at school. You may hear them use vaping slag such as “atty”, referring to an atomizer, “VG” or “sauce” for vegetable glycerin, also known as e-juice, getting “nicked” referring to the feeling of nicotine high, or feeling “nic-sick”, the sense of experiencing heart palpitations when high doses of nicotine are consumed.
If you suspect that your teen is vaping, there are a few things you can do. First, attempt to have a nonjudgemental conversation with them about it. Educate them that there are severe negative health consequences to vaping. Ringler-Cerniglia stresses the importance of “talking about it in middle school” or possibly earlier than that, starting the conversation in elementary school for more mature students.
Parents can also set a great example. Be tobacco-free. Make sure your teen isn’t exposed to secondhand smoke. Talk with the school and check if they have a tobacco prevention program. There are tobacco cessation programs that can help if your teen is addicted to vaping. Make an appointment with your teen’s primary care doctor. They will help educate your teen and provide resources that may be helpful.
Vaping is dangerous and has serious health risks, making it crucial for parents to recognize it and intervene early. By starting with open, nonjudgemental conversations and educating teens on the dangers of vaping, parents can make a significant positive long-term impact. Setting the example by remaining tobacco-free and utilizing resources like the primary care physician or school prevention programs can help provide additional support for teens who may struggle with nicotine addiction.
