Risks of vaping (e-cigarettes) for childrens, adolescents, and adults

 

E-cigarette is dangerous for childrens, teenagers and young adults. Nicotine damages adolescents brain development which lasts into the early of mid-20s and is highly addictive.

E-cigarettes contain nicotine and other dangerous compounds. Future cigarette smoking may be more likely in young people who use e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes
E-cigarettes are electronic gadgets that heat liquid to release an aerosol or mixture of tiny airborne particles. The sizes and shapes of e-cigarettes vary widely. The majority have a heating element a battery, and a container for a beverage. 

Some electronic cigarettes resemble: traditional cigarettes, cigars, pipes, USB flash drives, and other commonplace objects. Tank systems or "mods" are larger devices that do not resemble other tobacco products. 

There are numerous names for e-cigarettes: E-cigs, e-hookahs, mods, vape pens, vapes, tank systems and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). 

How Do E-cigarettes Work?

A heating liquid that typically contains nicotine, flavorings and other compounds that contribute to the aerosol's creation. Nicotine and flavorings are frequently found in the liquid used in e-cigarettes. The term "e-juice," "e-liquid," "vape juice," and "vape liquid" are all used to describe this fluid.

Aerosol from e-cigarettes is inhaled by users. When the user exhales this aerosol into the air, bystanders can breathe it in. Marijuana and other narcotics can be delivered through e-cigarette devices. 

What Is JUUL?

An electronic cigarette brand called JUUL has a USB flash drive-like design. JUUL is an electronic cigarette that uses battery power to heat  nicotine-containing liquid to create an aerosol that is inhaled, similar to other e-cigarettes.

A single JUUL pod, according to the company, has the same amount of nicotine as a pack of 20 standard cigarettes. Only a few e-cigarettes like JUUL  use nicotine salts, which make it easier and less irritating to inhale very high quantities of nicotine than the free-base nicotine that is typically found in tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. 

News organizations and social media platforms say that students frequently use JUUL in classrooms and restrooms at their schools.

Two-thirds of JUUL users between the ages of 15 and 24 are unaware that JUUL always contains nicotine. Other businesses provide e-cigarettes that resemble USB flash drives, despite the fact that JUUL is presently the most popular brand in the US. Examples include, the JUUL-like MarkTen Elite which delivers nicotine, and the PAX Era, which delivers marijuana.

Why Is Nicotine Dangerous for Adults, Childrens and Teenagers and How Does it Affect Young People's Mental Health?

The addictive substance found in normal cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products, nicotine is present in the majority of e-cigarettes (vapes). In the United States, e-cigarettes sold in evaluated locations contained nicotine in 99% of the cases.

Certain vape product labels fail to state that they contain nicotine, and nicotine has been discovered in some vape liquids that were advertised as having 0% nicotine. The adolescent's brain development can be harmed by nicotine. From the age 2 until around 25, the brain continues to develop.

The areas of the brain that regulate attention, learning, emotion and impulse control can damage in adolescents who uses nicotine. Stronger connections or synapses are formed between brain cells, each time a new memory or ability is gained.

Childrens brain develop synapses more quickly than those of adults. These synapses are created differently in response to nicotine. Adolescents nicotine use has been linked to a higher chance of developing subsequent drug addiction.

The body and brain of someone who is reliant on (or addicted to) nicotine must adjust when they stop using it. Temporary withdrawal symptoms from nicotine may ensue from this.

Anger, restlessness, feelings of anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, memory issues, and cravings for nicotine are some of the signs of nicotine withdrawal. 

To help with the relief of these symptoms, people may continue to use tobacco products. Youth may use vaping as a coping mechanism for stress or anxiety, which can lead to a vicious cycle of nicotine dependence. However, nicotine addiction can cause stress.

What can begin as a social experiment could develop into an addiction.

• "A friend used them," is the most frequently cited justification for attempting an e-cigarette among middle and high school students in the US.
• "I am feeling anxious, agitated, or sad" is the most frequently cited excuse given by young people for continuing to use e-cigarettes.

Use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes among young people has been linked to signs of mental illness including depression.

Do nicotine symptoms get better once you stop using it and does giving up vaping enhances mental health?

Yes. Withdrawal symptoms will fade over time as the brain gets used to not having nicotine. Scientists are still learning the effects of quitting vaping on mental health. Quitting smoking it is associated with lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as improved positive mood and quality of life.

Information on Heated Tobacco Products

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) like IQOS and Eclipse sometimes marketed as “heat-not-burn” technology, a diverse class of products that heat the tobacco leaf to produce an inhaled aerosol. They are different from e-cigarettes, which heat a liquid that can contain nicotine derived from tobacco. 

HTPs are available in at least 40 countries and some have been authorized for sale by the United States of FDA. 

In 2018, few U.S. adults (2.4% of all surveyed, including 6.7% of people who currently smoke surveyed) had ever used HTPs. In 2022, 1% of U.S. middle and high school students, combined reports having used heated tobacco products in the past 30 days.

Scientists are still learning about the short-term and long-term health effects of HTPs, but the available science shows they contain harmful and potentially harmful ingredients. It is important that we continue to modernize proven tobacco prevention and control strategies to include newer products, entering the market such as HTPs.

Help avoiding E-cigarettes

Set a good example by being tobacco-free and ensure that your kid is not exposed to the second-hand emissions from any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. If you use tobacco, it’s never too late to quit. 

Talk to your child or teen about why e-cigarettes are harmful for them. It’s never too late. Get the Talk With Your Teen About E-cigarettes. Start the conversation early with children about why e-cigarettes are harmful for them.

Let your child know that you want them to stay away from all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, because it's not safe for them. Set up an appointment with your child’s health care provider so that they can hear from a medical professional about the health risks of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

Speak with your child’s teacher and school administrator about enforcement of tobacco-free school grounds policies and tobacco prevention curriculum. Encourage your child to learn the facts and get tips for quitting tobacco products.

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By A. Moiz