E-cigarettes: telling young people about the dangers of smoking

If anyone can directly talk about the significant increase in e-cigarette use among children, teenagers, and young adults, it’s someone who works with them every day.

Lauren W., a middle school teacher in Pennsylvania, often hears her students talking about using e-cigarettes. But when it comes to nicotine and the dangers of addiction for young people, she doesn’t believe they truly understand how dangerous e-cigarettes are to their health. She says these discussions reveal that they have never really thought about this danger.

"As someone who can influence young people, Lauren is doing what she can to teach them about the harms of using e-cigarettes. They are always interested when I start researching and listing the findings," she said.

This fall, as young people prepare to return to school, you have the right to start the conversation. Whether you are a parent, teacher, coach, or even a healthcare professional, you play an important role in helping ensure that kids start the new school year in good health when it comes to the dangers of e-cigarettes.
 
Soaring Numbers

Since 2014, e-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product among middle school students in the United States. From 2017 to 2018 alone, the number of young people using e-cigarettes increased by 1.5 million. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics has called youth e-cigarette use an "epidemic" and warned that it threatens decades of progress in reducing tobacco use among young people.

Research also shows that e-cigarette advertising uses many of the same themes that lead young people to smoke. In 2016, nearly 7 out of 10 American middle and high school students saw e-cigarette ads online, on the internet, on television, or in magazines or newspapers.

Ads can also make e-cigarettes seem harmless to young people. High school teacher Lauren says most students know that regular cigarettes can cause disease or even death. However, she says most do not know that the nicotine in e-cigarettes can harm brain development or that e-cigarettes can be dangerous for young people for other reasons.
 
Nicotine Harms Developing Brains

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is the most addictive substance in tobacco. Nicotine is particularly harmful to young people. The human brain continues to develop until about age 25. Using nicotine products under age 25 can harm parts of the brain responsible for memory, attention, and learning.

Many young people who use e-cigarettes also smoke regularly. There is evidence that young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke regular cigarettes in the future.

Additionally, while the aerosol (vapor) formed by heating e-cigarette liquid contains fewer harmful substances than cigarette smoke, it still contains harmful substances—including heavy metals and even carcinogenic chemicals—that can be deeply inhaled into the lungs. The heating elements of e-cigarettes can also explode or cause serious burns.
 
Be Aware of "Hidden" E-Cigarettes

If you work with young people, you may see an e-cigarette device but not recognize it. The most commonly used e-cigarette in the U.S. is a brand called Juul, which looks like a USB flash drive. The Juul "pods" contain nicotine equivalent to up to 20 cigarettes. They also come in flavors that can make them more appealing to young people.

Lauren W. says, "One of my graduates told me he once forgot his e-cigarette in my classroom. Because it looked like a USB drive, and this was before I even knew what vaping was, I returned it to him without a second thought."

Everyone Has a Role

Everyone has a role, which is why it’s up to you to cultivate your knowledge about e-cigarettes. When the topic comes up, know what to say. The earlier and more often you talk to young people about e-cigarettes, the more likely they are to listen.
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It’s important that schools, community centers, and other places where young people gather during or after school have smoke-free campus policies. If there is already a no-smoking policy in place, make sure students are aware of it and that it is enforced. School or community events should also set a good example by not accepting sponsorship from tobacco or e-cigarette companies.

Young people are also more likely to pay attention if trusted and respected adults in their lives are willing to talk. In the upcoming school year, teachers and administrators can use health classes and assemblies to invite students to ask questions about e-cigarettes. There are many e-cigarette prevention programs that teachers can use in their classrooms to inform students about the risks of using e-cigarettes.

Equally important is providing support and resources for students who do use e-cigarettes to help them quit. There are many resources available, including a mobile app to help young people quit e-cigarettes.

Finally, if you use any tobacco products, commit to quitting. If those around them use tobacco products, kids are more likely to use tobacco products. So lead by example—don’t smoke. As students return to the classroom this school year, you can help ensure they are more informed and confident than ever in making healthy choices.