How much do we really know about vaping? Although it has been marketed to adults as a better alternative to smoking, this does not mean that vaping is safe or healthy, especially to children and teens. Below is more information on some of the dangers:
Talk to your kids about using e-cigarettes. Even if you have used or use tobacco yourself, your kids will hear you and listen to you if you talk about your own struggle with nicotine addiction. Be clear that you do not want that for them, and that you do not approve of them using e-cigarettes or similar products.
- According to WHO, tobacco use claimed 100 million lives during the previous century and is on target to cause a billion deaths during the 21 century, in part due to the uptick in vaping with teens.
- The new generation of tobacco products, vaping JUUling, dripping, threatens to addict a new generation of users to nicotine. Teen users often don’t even know that they contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, especially to teenagers with a still-developing brain.
- Tobacco companies selling tobacco products, including e-cigarette products, are still targeting certain racial and ethnic groups, such as Native Americans.
- The flavorant diacetyl can be found in some e-cigarettes. This is a chemical linked to serious lung disease.
- The public is seriously misinformed about the health threats that the new tobacco causes.
- Nicotine is highly addictive, e-cigarettes including but not limited to e-cigarettes, vape pens, and Juul, MarkTen, XL, Logic. Vuse, Blu all contain nicotine.
- Big Tobacco is Big Vape! MarkTen, XL, Logic. Vuse, Blu and JUUL. Blu is owned by Imperial Brands, Vuse is owned by R.J.Reynolds (Reynolds America)-, and JUUL is owned by Phillip Morris.
- In 2018 1 in 5 high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the past month.
- Teens that use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke cigarettes late in life.
There is help available. Adults patients contact Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Pharmacy at (405) 948-4900 ext. 294 for more information on Tobacco Cessation, or any adults and teens can call Oklahoma Tobacco Help Line at 1-800-784-8669 for resources and quit tips.