Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or vape pen. These are battery-fueled, rechargeable smoking devices that have cartridges filled with a liquid that can contain nicotine, marijuana, and flavorings. This liquid is then heated by the device into an aerosol, which is inhaled. E-cigarettes come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Vaping was originally — and still is — marketed as a “safer” alternative to smoking cigarettes and a means of quitting smoking altogether. There is no evidence that using e-cigarettes can help someone quit smoking, and nearly all of the health risks related to cigarettes are relevant to the risks of vaping. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved other "quit aids" for helping to quit smoking, but e-cigarettes are not one of them.

The e-cigarette company JUUL has stood by these marking strategies. JUUL’s marketing also predominately targets young audiences. The FDA issued a warning against promoting these false claims, as well as warning against the dangerous and fatal effects of their outreach to students.

Most brands of e-cigarettes contain similar levels of nicotine to traditional cigarettes. One JUUL cartridge, for example, has the same levels of nicotine as one pack of cigarettes. The aerosol emitted by vaping cartridges also contain other harmful substances, including heavy metals such as lead, volatile organic compounds, and cancer-causing agents.

The governor of Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker, has declared a public health emergency and placed a four-month ban on the sale all vaping products as of September 24th, 2019.

Vaping has only been on the rise for a few years now. Because of this, our knowledge about the effects of vaping is limited. However, we are learning day-by-day about the dangerous effects of vaping.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed clinical similarities in lung illnesses associated with e-cigarettes and vaping. All reported cases of these lung injuries and resulting deaths are connected to e-cigarette use. The CDC considers this an outbreak, just as the governor of Massachusetts considers this a “vaping epidemic."

Nicotine, no matter its form of inhalation, is addictive. Teenagers and young adults are especially prone to its effects. Nicotine affects brain development, which can make it difficult to learn and concentrate, and is incredibly harmful to the developing adolescent brain. Physically, nicotine and vaping irritates the lungs, which can lead to the serious lung damage and deaths that are currently being investigated.

Vaping is impossible to avoid, as marketing for it is practically everywhere you look—on TV, in storefronts, in magazines—and targeted towards adolescents. The most important thing is that your student knows the facts, their resources, and how to help themselves and find support. You can help your student learn these skills and know what to do when they need your advice and support.

A leading motivation of vaping among students is peer pressure, and some situations may be difficult to navigate or avoid. Talking with your student about what these situations might look like will prepare them for the times they might encounter them. One of the most difficult parts for your student is not knowing what to do when this type of situation arises. It helps to give them examples of peer pressure that you may have experienced, as well as how to get out of uncomfortable or undesirable situations. Remind them that it's their body and their right to say no or walk away.

Students can be swayed by what their peers are doing and what marketing says is normal or "right." It's easy for adolescents to internalize these ideas when they're surrounded by these influences. It helps to remind your student that this isn't their fault, and that it's natural to want to go with the flow of what their friends and trusted ones are doing. They still have autonomy and can make decisions for themselves. Learning how to handle these difficult situations and develop strong willpower is a valuable, life-long skill.

Remember that all students are affected by vaping, whether socially, emotionally, or physically. Your student is not alone in their fears, hesitations, or temptations. If you need help connecting with your student about vaping awareness, please reach out to school support staff, fellow parents, and view the resources below.

Hotlines — Call & Text Support
If you or someone you know is at risk of harming themselves or others, please call 911 and notify the operator that you are having a psychaitric emergency. Ask for an officer trained in crisis intervention or psychiatric emergencies.

If you are having a non-emergency crisis, there are many resources for you to receive immediate relief by calling or texting with a trained crisis operator. Here is a list of some important numbers and resources to know about in case you find yourself or someone you know needing anonymous support.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or 1-800-442-HOPE (4673) or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text "TALK" to 741741
If you are in crisis and need to speak with someone now, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. They can help with many issues beyond suicide, including anxiety and drug help. They are toll-free, 24-hour, confidential hotlines which connect you to a nearby trained counselor.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
All states have quitlines with counselors who are trained specifically to help smokers quit. You can call this number to connect directly to your state’s quitline. Hours of operation and services vary from state to state. 

The National Cancer Institute: 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848)
The National Cancer Institute’s trained counselors provide information and support for quitting in English and Spanish. Call Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time.

National Cancer Institute LiveHelp; LiveHelp in Spanish
Connect with an information specialist. Get immediate information and answers about quitting smoking. LiveHelp is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time.

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator: 1-800-662-4357 (English and Español)
For 24/7 free and confidential information and referrals in English and Spanish, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727, English and Español)
For 24/7 free and confidential information about e-cigarettes, vaping, and tobacco in English and Spanish.

---

School Resources
There are many educators at your student's school who are willing to talk and help. Here are some staff members who might be good resources for you and your student.

 

---

Websites — Resources & Information
There are many resources about vaping and finding help on the internet. Below are some dependable links that you can browse for information and support.

National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens (NIDA for Teens)
NIDA has the latest information on e-cigarettes, vaping, and tobacco and their affects on the brain and body. They have information for parents on how to talk with teenagers about drugs and their effects, as well as where to get help.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health
The Massachusetts DPH has a guide for parents on how to start the conversation of vaping and tobacco with their students.

Know the Risks
Know the Risks is a great guide for students to help understand the facts and risks behind vaping and e-cigarettes. They have a parent tip sheet and a guide for talking with adolescents about vaping.

Truth Initiative
Truth Initiative conducts groundbreaking research and policy studies, gives young people the facts about tobacco and the industry behind it, engages individuals and groups to make change in their communities, innovates new ways to end tobacco use and joins forces with collaborators committed to a tobacco-free future.

Center for Disease Control (CDC)
The CDC has information, statistics, and infographics on youth tobacco use, as well as information for parents.

Smokefree
Smokefree has articles, information, and frequently asked questions on how to help others quit smoking.

There are many different statistics on vaping, e-cigarettes, and tobacco use from a variety of reports and resources. Here are some statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), a verified and dependable source.

• The number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes rose from 2.1 million in 2017 to 3.6 million in 2018—a difference of about 1.5 million youth.
• There have been 805 cases of lung injury reported from 46 states and 1 U.S. territory. Twelve deaths have been confirmed in 10 states. All reported cases have a history of e-cigarette product use or vaping.
• E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product, ahead of cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, hookah, and pipes.
• More than 1 in 4 high school students and about 1 in 14 middle school students in 2018 had used a tobacco product in the past 30 days.
• About 4.7 million middle and high school students use at least one tobacco product, including e-cigarettes.

Please keep in mind that vaping is common among adolsecents and that there are many ways for you to help and support your student. If you have any non-emergency questions or concerns that you can't find answers for, please do reach out to our support staff and resources that are listed above. We are always ready and willing to help and talk.