Vaping is on the rise. What is vaping? Who is vaping? Why do people vape? All good questions, and If you are the parent of a teenager, questions you will want to know the answers to.
What is Vape or Vaping? Answer: “Vapor/ Electronic cigarettes are also known as personal vaporizers, e-cigarettes or, PV’s. They come in all shapes, sizes and designs, and are manufactured by over a dozen large companies globally. Some personal vaporizers are quite large, but most are quite small, some even have the same look as a normal cigarette. Some e-cigarettes are disposable, while others may be refillable. Many manufacturers of electronic cigarettes also produce and sell vapor cigarette refills, which are most commonly referred to as ‘e-juice’ or ‘e-liquid.’ These liquid solutions come in an infinite number of flavors, as well as with varying levels of nicotine content.” [1]
How does a Vape device work? Answer: “An electronic cigarette is basically a battery-operated inhaler that vaporizes a liquid solution (sometimes known as e-juice or e-liquid) into an aerosol mist. These liquids can come in a wide range of flavors (with new ones being made everyday)…” [2]
Why do people Vape? Answer: E-cigarettes and vape pens were originally conceived to be used as a stop smoking aid which would allow the user to receive the drug nicotine without all of the harmful effects of smoking. Unfortunately these adult smokers are not the only people using the devices, see below.
Who else is Vaping? Answer: Teenagers across the country are vaping. Vaping has been described as “an explosive trend [that] is catching on with teens right under the noses of unsuspecting adults” “The e-cigarette industry has quickly developed a slew of e-cigarette products that appeal to teens: e-pens, vape pens, e-Hookahs, and hookah pens are some of the more popular nicknames. The bright, iPod-like colors of these devices are enticing to teens; you even plug in and re-charge them just like other tech gadgets. And e-liquid comes in fun flavors like bubble gum, chocolate and watermelon — all available online. These are readily available, cool, tech-like…and unregulated by the U.S. Government. Unlike the tobacco industry and even nicotine gums and patches, there is no national legislation regarding the marketing and selling of e-cigarettes and their ingredients. And liquid nicotine can be bought and sold over the Internet without much oversight. Just one tablespoon of liquid nicotine, at high concentrations, can kill an adult, according to a recent article in The New York Times.” [3]
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention “In 2013, more than a quarter million middle school and high school students never smoked regular cigarettes but had used e-cigarettes, three times as many as 2011.” [5]
What is being done? Answer: In a recent New York Times editorial page, the American Academy of Pediatrics is urging the FDA to step up, take action, and regulate these products. To date, no progress has been made. Yes, teens can buy disposable e-Hookahs that are advertised as nicotine-free online (“800 puffs powered by a lithium battery. You don’t have to recharge!”). But because these products are unregulated, manufacturers don’t have to list ingredients on their packaging; health experts warn that there’s no way of knowing what you’re inhaling and whether it’s really nicotine-free or just tobacco-free (the terms are used interchangeably in many online descriptions). Because e-cigarettes are such a new trend, health experts have been scrambling to prove that e-cigarettes are a gateway to nicotine addiction. Results of a new study released in March confirmed our worst fears: Adolescents who smoke e-cigarettes were more likely to smoke regular cigarettes and less likely to quit smoking. In a few short years, these unregulated products have opened up a brand new path to nicotine addiction.[3]
The North Reading High School Handbook For Students and Parents indicates that “the use of vapor/electronic cigarette devices at school, on school property, or at a school-sponsored activity is strictly prohibited; students found to be in violation are subject to a three day external suspension from school; unexcused absences”
Vaping and Drug Use. The DEA has reported that there are liquid synthetic cannabinoids that are now being sold online and marketed towards kids. This synthetic cannabinoid liquid is applied to a vaping device the same way that the flavored nicotine liquid is. “They go by names like Bizarro and Cloud Nine Liquid, [K-2 e-Liquid] and are marketed as herbal incense [or aromatic potpourri].” “One user wrote ‘Different than the dry herbal but just as powerful. The liquid is sneaky. One minute your fine and the next minute you are rocketed into space.’” The DEA says it’s like playing Russian roulette with your life. “It’s alarming. It’s concealable for law enforcement and parents in general,” The DEA says more and more teens are being rushed to the emergency room. [4]
Use of hash oil which contains THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana is becoming more common with the increased use and awareness of vaping devices and the vaping culture. Because of the vaporizing process, the hash oil does not produce the tell-tale odors of marijuana and can be very difficult to detect, even in a public setting.
What parents should do? Answer: “So what’s a worried parent to do? It may sound trite, but talking to your middle or high school child about the dangers of vaping and nicotine is your best defense. Until the U.S. Government and the FDA issue guidelines for regulating e-cigarettes, it’s up to parents to educate themselves and their children. Experts suggest opening a dialogue with your teens. Consider watching the thought-provoking video link, “Do Vape Pens Trick Teens?” with your kids. Make sure that your teen knows that a vape pen is just another name for an e-cigarette, and that no matter what the name, these devices can deliver powerful hits of a very addictive drug: Nicotine. Don’t leave it up to the e-cigarette marketers and celebrities to educate your children about this so-called “healthier” alternative to smoking.”[3]
Final Words: This is a national problem currently facing our teens. To see the extent of the problem, all one has to do is to perform an internet search on vaping, vape products, vaping to get high, vaping images, vaping videos, and vaping dangers in the news. It will surely be an eye-opening process. The manufacturers of Vaping products are delivering an all-out advertising blitz aimed at teens through the use of social media. The long term health effects of vaping have yet to be determined by the medical community. The fact that vaping is introducing the drug nicotine to kids who were not already users of tobacco products will certainly lead to nicotine addicted individuals who may in turn find it easier to transition to dangerous tobacco products.
[1] [2] “What is Vape? – Minneapolis Electronic Cigarettes” Uptown Vapor Shoppe. 14 Sept. 2014
[3] “Is Your Teen Vaping? The Dangers of E-Cigarettes” Kristen Licciardi . Teenlife.com. 27 March 2014
[4] “DEA warns of a dangerous liquid synthetic cannabis harming kids” Hannah Kim Q13 Fox.com 21 May, 2014
[5] CDC Press release 25 August 2014 “More than a quarter-million youth who had never smoked a cigarette used e-cigarettes in 2013” https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0825-e-cigarettes.html