Vaping - The Puffing Illusion
Last month I overheard a group of concerned mothers talk about catching one of their daughters
with a vape. One said “Well I don’t think she could be addicted that quick!” The other said “Well
at least it’s not heroin!” Unfortunately, 1 vape has 20 cigarettes worth of nicotine, allowing for
faster physical and mental dependence in that adolescent brain (under 25). Studies by the
2000’s were showing that nicotine/cigarette addiction was just as, if not more addictive than
heroin.
While vapes have proved for some adults an effective means to stop smoking cigarettes, adults
have a reference to what a typical hit of nicotine is. Vapes introduced nicotine to a juvenile
population that was otherwise not interested, and created alarming vascular and pulmonary
effects . Like other drugs, nicotine has damaging effects to the undeveloped brain.
So what are we preventing when we discourage kids from vaping? Vaping for youth is a
gateway to other drugs. Categorically, nicotine is a stimulant, but the mechanisms are easily
exchangeable with cannabis. Again, cannabis has different effects on adolescents (under 25)
than it does on older adults.
The original thinking was that e-cig vapor was cleaner than cigarettes. We do know now that
e-cig vapor is by no means “clean”. The chemicals (yes chemicals-no,it's not water vapor) have
shown to have a negative impact on lung function and capacity (think teenagers with COPD),
with pre-teens and teens presenting with shortness of breath. There is also a taxing effect of
repeated increases in heart rate and blood pressure with ingestion).Vapes have also introduced
other nicotine usage (ever heard of Zyn packs?).
Vapes and nic pouches ignited not just a new generation of love with nicotine, but an all out
clash between students and supports. Interventionists for these students are seeing rates of
dependency never seen with that age group. For anyone addicted to nicotine, abstaining for a
full day is like torture (just ask my husband everytime we travel and he has to go 8 hours without
a smoke). Kids are hitting vape devices repeatedly within very short times (no matter where they
are). Schools are doing their best to police vaping in their buildings, but it is not as easy as
smoke alarms in the bathrooms. And surprise surprise, there are negative effects of
secondhand vape.
ACTION STEPS:
● Don’t brush off vape use by a minor.
● Speak with them about using- or call in help to do so
● Prepare them for mood changes, increased appetite, and sleepiness that comes with
quitting. (Stock up on snacks and lollipops)
● Set up sessions (free) with The Prevention Team Youth Tobacco Cessation Specialists
or other Teen Intervene practitioners to help your child make a plan and root out the
cause of their use. There are growing resources to help these kids.
For more info contact us today or view our prevention services.