E-cigarettes were initially introduced in the United States as a way to help smokers quit smoking.
Two decades later, what we now know as “vaping” has become an established way to deliver harmful chemicals to the lungs. Like traditional tobacco products, e-cigarettes can be addictive, addictive and dangerous to your health.
Of particular concern is the popularity of e-cigarettes among young people. E-cigarettes are now the most common tobacco product used by American high school students. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10% of high school students were using e-cigarettes in 2023.
Statistically, the 10% figure is encouraging, as it represents a decrease of more than half a million teenagers compared to the previous year, but usage still represents a significant increase over the past decade.
This means there is still work to be done to educate young people and adults about the harms of e-cigarettes.
Stephanie Hanson, MD, a pediatrician at Sanford West Fargo Clinic, has been providing medical care to young people for nearly 20 years and has seen firsthand how e-cigarettes have emerged as a serious health threat for those under the age of 18.
She has the answers for anyone who wants to know more about what e-cigarettes are and their harmful effects.
Are e-cigarettes bad for you?
In one word, Dr. Hanson answers with an emphatic “yes.”
“Most e-cigarette products contain nicotine, which is addictive and known to be harmful,” says Dr Hanson. “But in addition to nicotine, many other harmful compounds are released when you vape. Chemicals used primarily to kill weeds, such as formaldehyde and herbicides (known carcinogens), are inhaled into the lungs. These chemicals also contribute to cardiovascular disease.”
How do e-cigarettes affect your lungs?
When you vape, you are inviting the chemicals in the e-cigarette to enter your body and bloodstream.
“The lungs are prone to irritation and inflammation,” Dr. Hanson says. “If you think about the fine particles that are being pumped deep into the lungs when vaping, that can cause a very severe inflammatory response. This can happen with nicotine vaping products, but it’s even more common with THC vaping products.”
Are there any warning signs that your child may be vaping?
The same parental instincts that work in detecting other forms of illegal activity can also be applied in determining whether your son or daughter is using vaping products.
“Has your child’s mood changed? Has their academic performance changed? Have they lost longtime friends or made new ones that they don’t know well? Have you noticed changes in sleep or appetite or increased irritability?” Dr. Hanson said.
“All of these things could be indicators that something is going on with your teen, and as a parent, you should always be on the lookout for this type of behavior.”
How many kids are using e-cigarettes?
According to the CDC, by 2023, e-cigarettes will be the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students in the United States.
2023:
- One million students (7.7%) currently use e-cigarettes. This includes:
- 550,000 junior high school students (4.6%).
- High school students: 56 million (10.0%)
- Of students who had used e-cigarettes, 46.7% reported currently using e-cigarettes.
- Among students who currently use e-cigarettes,
- One in four (25.2%) used e-cigarettes daily.
- One in three (34.7%) had used e-cigarettes on at least 20 of the past 30 days.
- Nine in 10 (89.4%) used flavored e-cigarettes.
- Students who currently use e-cigarettes:
- Disposable e-cigarettes are the most commonly used (60.7%), followed by e-cigarettes with prefilled or refillable pods or cartridges (16.1%).
- The most commonly reported brands are Elf Bar, Esco Bars, Vuse, JUUL, and Mr. Fog.
“In my experience as a pediatrician, I believe e-cigarettes are more prevalent than the statistics suggest,” Dr. Hanson says. “I talk to a lot of kids about e-cigarettes, even young kids. I’m seeing kids in sixth and seventh grade trying them. The fact that e-cigarettes are in a form that’s easily available and shareable among peers at that age makes it easy for kids to get their hands on them.”
“It’s important to note that this includes products that contain nicotine as well as THC products. We also know that e-cigarette use is increasing marijuana use.”
What resources are available for people who want to quit vaping?
If you want to quit smoking, or you’re a parent encouraging your son or daughter to quit, start by talking to your doctor or your child’s doctor.
“I’d love to share some resources that are readily available,” Dr. Hanson says. “One I often recommend is My Life My Quit, which is available to teens and young adults. It’s free and usually text-based, so it’s easy for teens to sign up. It’s non-judgmental and offers one-on-one support to people who are interested in quitting smoking. It’s useful for adults, too.”
As a physician, what concerns you most about e-cigarettes?
“The first is the addictive nature of nicotine,” Dr. Hanson says. “Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances and is known to have a definite effect on normal thought processes, mood and dopamine release.”
“As a pediatrician, I am particularly concerned about youth use of nicotine e-cigarettes. For children, whose brains are still developing, the potential for harm is even greater as it could lead to further problems with concentration and cognitive function in the future.”
Dr Hanson stressed that nicotine addiction can also have physiological harms, including the potential for serious lung damage in young e-cigarette users, and in the long term, it could lead to certain types of cancer and damage to cardiovascular health.
Ultimately, what message should parents give to their kids when it comes to e-cigarettes?
“Start talking to your kids about e-cigarettes early and often,” Dr. Hanson says. “First, make sure they understand that you think e-cigarettes are dangerous and that you don’t want them to try them.”
“Some people may think it’s too early to tell an 8-year-old. It’s not. There’s a good chance that an 8-year-old already knows what e-cigarettes are. They may not know the nuances of what e-cigarettes are, but they’ve seen them and they’ve seen teenagers they know use them.”
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Published in Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Healthy Living, and Internal Medicine
