Nearly one-third of high school students reported that they have used a vape in a recent study. While this trend may seem like the height of popularity for some teens, the potential dangers of using a vape aren’t worth the risk.
The Truth about Vaping
Parents whose kids use a vaping device should be aware of the risks that are involved:
The Chemicals Found in a Vape are Highly Concentrated
When using a vape, you inhale and exhale an aerosol made up of a large variety of chemicals. Some of these aerosols contain nicotine or THC. THC is the chemical in marijuana that produces a high. Because vaping is a new and rapidly increasing trend, there are hundreds of brands of vaping devices subject to very little regulation. No reports contain concrete information about all the chemicals that a teen could be inhaling into their system when vaping. Synthetic liquids such as “herbal incense” – spice and synthetic marijuana – have a number of unidentified, concentrated chemicals that can damage developing lungs and cause mouth sores.
Companies Target Kids to Minimize Danger
Vaping is designed to seem like a safer, more fun alternative to smoking because that’s what the vaping companies want teens to think. Vapes come in all shapes and sizes that are designed to be more visually appealing to teens and young adults. These devices are sold as a “safe” alternative to using cigarettes. However, vaping is still dangerous even though vaping devices don’t contain tobacco. Inhaling from a vape or e-cigarette, especially those containing THC or nicotine, can amplify the drugs’ side effects. Furthermore, the carcinogens and metal from the device itself can irritate your lungs.
Due to these risks, many states have adopted laws regulating the purchase of vape products by teenagers. States have enacted laws establishing the minimum age to purchase a vape product at the age of at least 18. Many states also have laws regulating vape packaging. These laws help to ensure that consumers are knowledgeable about the dangers of vaping. To reduce the targeting of young people in vape product advertising, some states including California have banned the sale of flavored tobacco and vape products.
Vaping Makes Transitioning to Cigarettes and Drugs Easier
A Reuters study suggests that teens are more prone to start smoking if their vape contains a high nicotine concentration. Teens who use an e-liquid with high amounts of nicotine were twice as likely to start smoking cigarettes as teens who use nicotine-free e-liquid. Big tobacco companies have started producing e-cigarettes so that the branding message to smoke cigarettes already exists in teenagers’ minds. Additionally, vaporizers containing THC and nicotine run a high risk of addiction, which can lead to cigarette and marijuana use as teens age.
Teens and young adults may feel extreme pressure to begin habits that could have negative effects for the rest of their lives. Parents should have a compassionate conversation with their kids if they suspect vape or e-cigarette use.
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