Reasons Why Youth Vape?
Social norms, social pressure
Heightened stress, anxiety, depression
Substance use & mental health connection, self-medication
Head rush from nicotine kick
Extremely high addictiveness
Perceived “lower” risk- Not as harmful as cigarettes
(PAVE- Parents Against Vaping E-Cigarettes)
One of the most popular substance use trends among teens, vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol produced by an e-cigarette, vape pen, or similar devices commonly known as “vapes”. These devices contain flavored e-liquids, nicotine and/or cannabis (marijuana). There are more than 5,800 unique disposable products, up 1,500% from 365 in 2020. Learn more at Vaping: What parents need to know – Partnership to End Addiction (drugfree.org)
- 12% of Pleasantville High School Seniors reported using e-cigarettes in past 30-day use survey. 2022 Search Institute Survey administered to grades 7-12.
- Vaping exposes young people to nicotine at a time when the brain is most at risk for addiction. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. People who vape can quickly become addicted to the nicotine.
- Many chemicals found in vapes are known to cause cancer.
- Studies have shown that using vapes, no matter the substance, can lead to breathing problems and significantly harm the lungs, brain and heart.
- Ingredients found in vapes are not FDA approved.
- E-Cigs are Entering the Market, with increasingly High Concentrations of Nicotine. Average concentration of nicotine in e-cigs increased from 2.5% to 4.4 (2017-2022). (Bruce Barcelo MS,CTTS, NCTTP-Know2Prevent Training)
Helpful Links
A selection of resources we hope you’ll find helpful!