Stamford Prevention Council
VAPING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Many teens believe vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes, but it's not!
Part of the problem is they don't realize what's in vaping products.
What's Really in an E-Cigarette?
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Nicotine, which is addictive and can harm
brain development -
Ultrafine particles are inhaled deep into lungs
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Flavoring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked
to a serious lung disease -
Volatile organic compounds
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Cancer-causing chemicals
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Chemicals that can lead to heart disease, COPD and asthma
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Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead
Secondhand vapor is harmful too!
According to the American Lung Association, "In 2016, the Surgeon General concluded that secondhand emissions contain, "nicotine; ultrafine particles; flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead."
Same Flavors, Different Forms -
Oral Nicotine Pouches & Lozenges.
A new type of flavored nicotine product is gaining popularity - oral nicotine pouches and lozenges. Zyn and Velo are a couple of the leading brands in this category. These products come in a variety of enticing flavors like citrus, berry, mint and menthol. Zyn's marketing often suggests flavor pairings, like the coffee and donuts photo below. These products are very concerning since we know flavors appeal to youth.
A 2020 survey from Truth Initiative showed that
13% of 15-24 year olds were past 30-day users of pouches.
63% of JUUL users between 15 and 24 years old didn't know that the product always contains nicotine, according to a 2018 study.
MORE NICOTINE
MOST NICOTINE
1 pack of cigarettes
(20 cigarettes)
~20 mg of nicotine
1 JUUL pod
Comes in two sizes - 3% and 5%
3% = 23 mg of nicotine
5% = 40 mg of nicotine
(Equivalent to 20 - 40 cigarettes.)
1 puff bar
Uses nicotine salts and delivers higher levels of nicotine.
Each bar = 50 mg of nicotine
(Equivalent to 50 cigarettes)
The number of young people who vape has decreased, however there are still
3.6 Million youth are still currently using e-cigarettes in the US. (source)
According to data from The Hub, 2018/2019 youth surveys showed that teens in our region perceive vapes to be far less harmful than cigarettes.
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A 2017 youth survey in a local suburb found 25% of freshman and sophomores and 45% of juniors and seniors reported vaping in the last month.
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Another youth survey in a local city found 12% of high school students vaped marijuana in the past month.
3.6 Million youth are currently using e-cigarettes
in the United States.
Vaping Increases Risk
of COVID-19
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Tobacco use makes it easier for the COVID virus to attach to lung cells when it enters..
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Smoking and vaping damage the cilia (hairlike structures that line the lungs to help move air throughout the lungs), which makes it easier for the virus to enter the lungs.
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Smoking and vaping damage certain types of white blood cells that help fight infections.
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Many tobacco flavorings, including menthol, prevent lung and airway cells from fight infections as effectively. (Source)
According to Truth Initiative, “research from Stanford University that shows teens and young adults who have vaped may be up to five times more likely to test positive for the virus than their non-vaping peers. Yet only 44% of young people think vaping and COVID-19 infections are linked, according to new Truth Initiative research.”
How Does Smoking/Vaping Weaken the Body’s Defenses Against COVID?
What is Popcorn Lung?
Over a decade ago, workers in a microwave popcorn factory began getting sick. The cause was breathing in diacetyl, which is a chemical that gives popcorn and other foods that buttery flavor. It was linked to deaths and hundreds of cases of bronchiolitis obliterans, now commonly referred to as "popcorn lung," a serious and irreversible lung disease. While popcorn manufacturers removed diacetyl from their products, some people are still being exposed today through e-cigarette vapor.
Popcorn lung causes scarring of the tiny air sacs in the lungs resulting in the thickening and narrowing of the airways. This serious lung disease causes coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, similar to the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Learn more on the American Lung Association website.
Tobacco Legislation
41 states have raised the minimum age for all tobacco products to age 21 and there are positive effects.
Current Debate: Banning Flavored Tobacco Products
Why is it important?
4 out of 5 kids who have used tobacco started with a flavored product.
"The U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 28, 2020, passed H.R. 2339, the "Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act." This bill would prohibit all flavored tobacco products – including flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Among other things, the bill also makes critical investments in initiatives to prevent kids from using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, and help more smokers quit, especially in medically underserved communities." - From TobaccoFreeKids.org
Connecticut has considered restrictions, but has not passed any yet. Learn more about this issue at:
Resources for Parents & Educators
How to Talk to Kids About Vaping
Helpful Websites
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Training & Curriculums
SmokeScreen
A smoking and vaping prevention video game with a dedicated focus on youth decision-making about smoking and vaping, and includes strategies for both smoking prevention and cessation.
Visit Website
Vaping: Know the truth
A vaping prevention curriculum for parents and educators
from The Truth Initiative
CATCH My Breath
The program provides up-to-date information to teachers, parents, and health professionals to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about the use of
e-cigarettes, including JUUL devices.
Visit Website
ASPIRE
ASPIRE (A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience) is a free online educational resource from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. ASPIRE delivers tobacco prevention education to teens and adolescents at a self-directed pace.
Download Flyer
Take Down Tobacco Training Program
This program, geared towards middle and high school students.
Youth enter the program through our research-based courses Take Down Tobacco 101 and/or The Rise of Vaping, and continue through experience-based advocacy courses.
Visit Website
Tobacco Prevention Toolkit
The Tobacco Prevention Toolkit is a theory-based and evidence-informed educational resource created by educators and researchers aimed at preventing middle and high school students’ use of tobacco and nicotine products.
Visit Website
Download Materials
Quitting Resources
This is Quitting from The Truth Initiative
The first-of-its-kind program to help
young people quit vaping.
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Learn how it works and find additional resources available for parents of young vapers and for adults who want to quit.
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Teens and young adults can join for free by texting DITCHJUUL to 88709
Visit Website
BecomeAnEx.org
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Are you a parent of a young person who vapes? Parents can text QUIT to (202) 899-7550 or visit BecomeAnEX.org to sign up to receive text messages designed specifically for parents of vapers.
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Adults looking for support to quit vaping or stop using any tobacco product can visit BecomeAnEX.org, our free digital quit smoking platform that offers comprehensive web and mobile tools
Visit Website
Smokefree Teen
Smokefree Teen offers a text messaging program that can help teens quit smoking and the quitSTART app helps teens become smokefree by providing helpful strategies for tackling cravings, bad moods, and other situations where teens may smoke.
Visit Website
My Life My Quit
My Life, My Quit™ is the free and confidential way to quit smoking or vaping. Text "Start My Quit" to 855.891.9989 or click to chat with a Coach. We are here for you every step of the way. It's YOUR LIFE and we're here to help you live it YOUR WAY.
Visit Website
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