What harm do vaping devices do to teenagers?

What harm do vaping devices do to teenagers? The 2018 China Adult Tobacco Survey released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the majority of e-cigarette users are young people, with a usage rate of 1.5% among the 15-24 age group.

The impact of e-cigarette products on teenagers is concerning and is becoming increasingly serious.

What harm do e-cigarettes do to teenagers?

Most e-cigarettes contain addictive nicotine, and exposure to excessive nicotine during adolescence can lead to:

Harm to brain development, which can last until around age 25;

Impaired learning ability, memory, and attention;

Increased risk of future addiction to other substances.

Teenagers who use e-cigarettes are more likely to use regular cigarettes in the future.

Many e-cigarette products are more "appealing" to young people, with flavors like fruit and cream, making them more attractive to teenagers.

E-cigarette aerosol is not harmless; it contains many harmful substances, including:

Nicotine

Carcinogenic chemicals

Flavorings associated with lung diseases

Heavy metals like nickel and lead

What can we do to protect minors from e-cigarettes?

Parents or guardians

As the direct supervisors of minors, parents or guardians play a crucial role in protecting them from the harms of e-cigarettes:

Talk to your children about the dangers of e-cigarettes. Remember, it's never too late to educate!

Set a good "non-smoking" example by quitting smoking yourself, or at least not smoking in front of minors.

Stay informed about different types and appearances of e-cigarette products and their harms to teenagers through various channels, including the internet.

Educators

Encourage and support your students to engage in discussions about the harms of e-cigarette use.

Utilize online resources to promote knowledge about smoking cessation.

Establish and implement smoke-free school policies to ensure educational institutions are not influenced by the tobacco industry (including advertising, tobacco sales, etc.), covering all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

Understand different types and appearances of e-cigarette products and their harms to teenagers.

Healthcare professionals

When screening patients for tobacco product use, do not forget about e-cigarettes.

Strengthen education on the harms of tobacco product use for patients, including the risks of e-cigarette use among teenagers, and advise minors and young adults to quit smoking.

Understand different types and appearances of e-cigarette products and their harms to teenagers.