What Is Vaping?

Vaping is the inhaling of a vapor created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or other vaping device.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered smoking devices. They have cartridges filled with a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and chemicals. The liquid is heated into a vapor, which the person inhales. That’s why using e-cigarettes is called “vaping.”

What Are the Health Effects of Vaping?

Vaping hasn’t been around long enough for us to know how it affects the body over time. But health experts are reporting serious lung damage in people who vape, including some deaths.

New research presented at the American Thoracic Society 2021 International Conference suggests that although vaping was once considered to be a less harmful alternative to smoking, teens, and adults who use e-cigarettes have increased odds of developing asthma and having asthma attacks.

“While vaping may not cause stress, it appears that vape cravings may be triggered by stress and anxiety, making it harder for the e-cigarette user to quit,” She said in the press release. “This may be particularly relevant during the pandemic when stress and anxiety are highly prevalent.”

Why Should People Who Vape Quit?

People who vape need the right motivation to quit. Wanting to be the best, healthiest version of themselves is an important reason to quit vaping. Here are some others:

Unknown health effects: The long-term health consequences of vaping are not known. Recent studies report serious lung damage in people who vape, and even some deaths.

Addiction: Addiction in the growing brain may set up pathways for later addiction to other substances.

Brain risks: Nicotine affects brain development in kids and teens. This can make it harder to learn and concentrate. Some of the brain changes are permanent and can affect mood and impulse control later in life.

Use of other tobacco products: Studies show that vaping makes it more likely that someone will try other tobacco products, like regular cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, and smokeless tobacco.

Toxins (poisons): The vapor made from e-cigarettes is not made of water. The vapor contains harmful chemicals and very fine particles that are inhaled into the lungs and exhaled into the environment.

Sports:To do their best in sports. Vaping may lead to lung inflammation (irritation).

Money: Vaping is expensive! The cost of the cartridges over time starts to add up. Instead, someone could spend that money on other things that they need or enjoy.

To go against tobacco company advertising: Many e-cigarettes are made by the same companies that produce regular cigarettes. Their marketing targets young people by making fun flavors for e-cigarettes and showing young, healthy people vaping. They are trying to make kids and teens of today into their new, lifetime customers.

How Can Kids and Teens Quit Vaping?

For kids and teens who want to quit, it can help to:

• Decide why they want to quit and write it down or put it in their phone. They can look at the reason(s) when they feel the urge to vape.
• Pick a day to stop vaping. They can put it on the calendar and tell supportive friends and family that they’re quitting on that day.
• Get rid of all vaping supplies.
• Download tools (such as apps and texting programs) to their phone that can help with cravings and give encouragement while they’re trying to stop vaping.
• Understand withdrawal. Nicotine addiction leads to very strong cravings for nicotine. It can also lead to:
  • headaches
  • feeling tired, cranky, angry, or depressed
  • trouble concentrating
  • trouble sleeping
  • hunger
  • restlessness

The signs of withdrawal are strongest in the first few days after stopping. They get better over the following days and weeks.

Sources: kidshealth, pharmacytimes