Vaping and Teens: A Guide to the Dangers and How to Quit

The vaping epidemic can destroy the health of our youth. The rise in nicotine use and dependence among Indiana teens who use electronic cigarettes over the last decade alarms us all. The U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that nicotine use in any form, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe.

“The most serious threat of nicotine addiction for teens is to their developing brains,” said Irene Boone-Phillips, program coordinator with the Lake County Community Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition, of which Franciscan Health is lead agency. “The earlier you expose your brain to nicotine, the more likely you’ll become addicted, which can prime the brain for substance abuse issues in the future.”

Electronic cigarettes, also called vape pens and e-cigarettes, are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid to create a vapor you can inhale. In 2023, about 2.8 million youth use tobacco products, according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). E-cigarettes remained their most commonly used tobacco product. Among middle school and high school students who currently use e-cigarettes, 25.2% used them daily, and 89.4% used flavored e-cigarettes.

Why Are E-Cigarettes So Popular With Teens?

E-cigarettes have been the most popular tobacco product among U.S. teens since 2014. The lure of e-cigarettes is that they:

• Are easy to buy online
• Are often inexpensive
• Are promoted on social media by influencers
• Have enticing, fruity flavors
• Look innocent, often resembling everyday items like pens and flash drives
• Were unregulated until recently

Understanding this appeal is the first step in creating an effective counter-strategy.

The Health Risks Of Teen Vaping

Originally, e-cigarettes were marketed as tools to help people break their tobacco habit. However, there’s little scientific research to back up that claim.

But we do know nicotine addiction is hazardous for the developing adolescent and teen brain. “And these vaping products are loaded with just as much addictive nicotine and other toxic substances as cigarettes,” said  Faisal Khan, MD, medical director of Interventional Pulmonology and Endoscopy at Franciscan Health Indianapolis. “We know the brain continues to develop until kids hit their early 20s. And nicotine exposure can alter the chemistry of a developing brain, affecting memory, concentration and learning.”

Vaping and the toxic compounds found in e-cigarettes, like lead and formaldehyde, can lead to:

• Changes in brain development
• Increased cancer risk
• Increased heart-related problems such as high blood pressure and high heart rate
• Increased irritability and moodiness
• Increased risk of using other substances
• Lung disease and respiratory illnesses
• Reduced self-esteem
• Social isolation from peer groups

What Words Do You Use To Talk To Your Child About Vaping?

Having open and informed conversations with your teen is critical. These conversations require patience, empathy and two-way discussions. “It’s about listening as much as it is about talking,” said Boone-Phillips. “Approach your teen with care, not confrontation, to truly understand their views on vaping and to educate them on its risks.” It helps to have the facts and to address the addictive and toxic nature of vaping.

Dr. Khan and Boone-Phillips offer a few examples of what parents and caretakers can say when talking to a teen about vaping.

Express Concern Without Judgment

“I’ve read about how popular vaping is, and it worries me. I care about your health and want to make sure you have all the facts. Let’s talk about it. What do you think about vaping?”

Discuss The Risks In A Relatable Way

“Did you know they use the chemicals in vape liquid for things like antifreeze? It’s pretty gross when you think about putting that in your body. I learned vaping can seriously mess up your lungs and heart. Take a look at this info with me so we know what it can do.”

Acknowledge Peer Pressure

“I know some of your friends might be vaping, and it can be tough if you feel left out. But remember, it’s okay to say ‘no’ if you don’t feel comfortable with something. What can I do to support you in making the best decisions for you?”

Encourage Open Dialogue

“Although I may be frustrated about your vaping use, you can talk to me about it. I promise to listen and not get upset. Your health and safety are the most important things to me, and I want to help you make choices that you’ll be happy with in the long run.”

Highlight The Importance Of Making Informed Choices

“We always make better decisions when we have the facts. Let’s make sure we’re both educated about what vaping involves. There are a lot of myths out there, so let’s understand the truth together.”

What’s The Right Age To Talk To Your Child About Vaping?

Statistics show that as many as one in every 20 middle school students use e-cigarettes. So Boone-Phillips and Dr. Khan urge parents and caregivers to talk to their kids about vaping before middle school. “Just like we talk to our kids about drugs and other substances,” Boone-Phillips said, “we need to talk to them about vaping and tobacco because nicotine is an addictive drug.”

Is Your Teen Vaping?

It can be hard to tell if your teen is vaping. And that’s part of the appeal. However, parents and caregivers can be aware of a few factors that make vaping easier to detect.

Vape Devices Come In All Shapes And Sizes

Companies design vape devices with secrecy in mind. Early vaping devices looked like flash drives, so no one knew it was a vape. Newer items look like a highlighter. “You wouldn’t know it wasn’t a highlighter unless you looked very closely,” said Boone-Phillips. Devices in different shapes — things that look like stress gadgets, pens or lip gloss — can make them even harder to detect.

Kids Can Purchase Vape Devices Online

Boone-Phillips also suggests parents keep an eye on online purchases. “Parents need to pay very close attention to their teens’ spending habits. And they should take a good look at online purchases since, unlike cigarettes, these can be purchased online.”

Social Media Influencers Promote Vaping

Parents should understand the marketing, too. While the law prohibits advertising combustible cigarettes in traditional media outlets, vaping-related posts on social media remain unregulated. Today, companies pay influencers to post enticing content related to vaping. And because of sophisticated algorithms, kids see those posts.

Vaping Changes Behavior And Health

Vaping can also cause changes in behaviors and health symptoms. Parents should be aware of signs their teen is vaping, such as:

• Changes in mood and behavior, including increased irritability, mood swings and difficulty concentrating
• Sweet or fruity scents in their rooms, clothes and hair can indicate flavored vape liquid
• New health symptoms such as coughing and increased thirst
• Changes in eating habits since nicotine can suppress the appetite

What Resources Can Help Teens Quit Vaping?

Quitting vaping is a challenging journey, given the addictive nature of nicotine.

Franciscan Health’s tobacco cessation programs and recommendations from healthcare providers and local, state and national organizations can offer support. “There’s help available,” Boone-Phillips said, “and we can guide teens through the process of quitting.”

Consider talking with your teen’s healthcare provider and exploring these other resources to help your teen on the road to quitting.

• tobaccofreelcin.org
• quitnowindiana.com/teens
• in.gov/vapefreeindiana
• teen.smokefree.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Who Can Protect Kids In Indiana?

Our government, local organizations and communities can help protect our kids from the dangers of vaping. “We have to insist that our governing entities pass laws and set up regulations for vaping sales and use. We need to monitor the products and create strong, comprehensive ordinances to protect our kids,” said Boone-Phillips. “We know when we raise the prices of tobacco and vape products, it deters kids from using them. And if we can monitor and regulate how companies market these products, we can start to make a difference.”

Align and collaborate with advocates who work to protect our kids and get behind the push for robust and comprehensive air policies that help reduce the use of e-cigarettes. Also, check out the Local Tobacco Control Coalitions.

Preventing our kids from vaping is about education. This battle requires a united community effort. Knowing the signs, recognizing the devices and providing evidence-based information can empower teens to make healthier choices. Learn about tobacco cessation at Franciscan Health.