Many adolescents believe that vaping is safe and causes no harm which has led to an increase in youth vaping. It’s important for parents, guardians, teachers, coaches, and other important adults in a teen’s life to educate and bring awareness to the dangers of vaping. Some teens may choose to vape regardless of the information they learn but it’s still vital to initiate the discussion in the hopes of preventing use.
What Can You Do to Protect Youth from the Harms of Vaping?
As an adult in a teen’s life, you can have an honest conversation about the health risks vaping poses. Many youths think vaping is safe because it doesn’t involve all the poisons and chemicals that cigarettes have but the reality is that vaping still is not healthy or safe.
The health concerns of teen vaping include:
- Respiratory Problems: Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and other respiratory issues are commonly a result of vaping. Chronic lung diseases can develop after the consistent use of vapes or e-cigarettes.
- Brain Development Descriptions: Exposure to nicotine, the main ingredient in most vapes and e-cigarettes, can affect short and long-term learning, memory, and attention.
- Addiction: Nicotine is not healthy for any person, regardless of age. Yet developing brains and bodies are greatly affected by consistent nicotine consumption and are likely to form a dependence upon the substance.
- Exposure to Chemicals: In order to transform nicotine to a liquid form that can be vaped, chemicals, solvents, and additives are included in the vape which are harmful to the lungs and body. This chemical mist is carried into the lungs, causing lung issues and other health concerns.
While the above-mentioned health concerns have been studied and proven, at this time, the long-term health risks of vaping are not even yet fully explored. Long term studies may reveal more health consequences to vaping and e-cigarette use. Only time will tell.
How to Prevent Vaping in Teens
Ultimately, every individual is going to make their own choices in life. As such, it’s important to empower teens to make informed decisions about vaping by providing information on the potential health risks of vaping and by offering healthier alternatives to vaping. Through education about vaping in school, with healthcare providers, and parents, teens will be able to make healthy choices for themselves. Another aspect of limiting dangerous vaping amongst youth is having strict regulations on selling and marketing vape products, such as restricting flavored e-liquids and implementing rigorous ID-checking processes. We may not be able to fully prevent vaping in youth but we can do everything possible to promote healthier choices for our children.
If you worry that your child is vaping nicotine or marijuana, or smoking e-cigarettes, SBIRT can help. SBIRT is a completely free, 100% online assessment that can determine if there is a problem with substance abuse or alcohol abuse. If so, nearby treatment centers are provided so that you can get your teen the treatment and support they need. Click now to learn more about SBIRT and how it can help support you and your teen!