VAPING AND E-CIGARETTES

8 Things Every Parent Should Know


More and more, young people have been trying e-cigarettes, pod vapes, and vape pens. Here are eight things you should know about these devices and how they may affect your kids.
Have you heard about pod vapes, vape pens and other types of e-cigarettes?
Many young people think they are risk-free.

1. By any name, all e-cigarettes are the same.

• Some of the many types are:
• Pod vapes
• Hookah pens
• Vape pens
• Mods
• Tanks
• E-shishas
• They all use a battery to heat up a liquid, often called e-liquid.
The vapor from the heated liquid is then inhaled.
• The e-liquid comes in a variety of flavors and nicotine levels.
• The vapor is not just water. It is an aerosol of tiny particles of many different chemicals.


2. They are drug delivery devices:
• They are sold as a way to get nicotine. Nicotine is an extremely addictive drug.
• Nicotine can affect the developing brain. Its use can increase the risk of addiction to nicotine as well as other drugs.
• It can affect blood pressure, heart rate and insulin levels.
• Vape pens and other e-cigs are also used to smoke marijuana oil and other drugs.

3. Vaping is not risk free.

Most vapes are flavored, even those without nicotine. Studies suggest that when heated, the flavors and other chemicals in e-liquid can harm the lungs.
No long-term studies have been done on the health effects of vaping.
Vaping devices can be dangerous in other ways too – like they can explode and cause serious injury!

4. They don’t always look like cigarettes.

Vaping devices often look like colorful or metallic pens or small flashlights. Some look like USB memory drives. Others are larger, hand-held containers called tanks.



5. The sweet flavors attract young people.

The sweet flavors attract young people.
Some of the flavors are apple, cherry, banana, chocolate and coffee.
The flavors can make them seem harmless.



6. The ads target kids.

• The ads make e-cigs seem safe. Some ads use celebrities to make e-cigs look glamorous.
• Ads are often put where teens will see them – on social media sites, TV and in magazines.




7. E-cigs could mean trouble at school.

• Many schools now treat vaping devices like tobacco and other drugs. Kids may be suspended or expelled for having them at school.





8. Talking with your kids can help.

• Ask them what they know about vaping and e-cigarettes.
• It’s okay to say that you don’t want them to smoke or use vaping devices. Talk to them about nicotine and addiction.

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