An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a device that simulates tobacco smoking. It consists of an atomizer, a power source such as a battery, and a container such as a cartridge or a tank. Instead of smoke, the user inhales vapor, often called “vaping.”
Street Names
Blanks CloudFiendGhostGreeningMODNic Sick
PodRip ItStealth ModeStigTankThroat HitVape NationZYN
Why it's dangerous
- Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which can cause addiction and harm the still-developing young brain. While nicotine is highly addictive at any age, it is especially dangerous for youth and young adults. Nicotine is found in most e-cigarettes. Both tobacco products and e-cigarettes pose risks to health and the safest approach is not to consume either.
Fast Facts
- • Using e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults.
• Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s.
• E-cigarettes can contain other harmful substances besides nicotine.
• Young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.
Mythbuster
The e-cigarette atomizer is a device in which users breathe from and exhale and can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including nicotine, ultrafine particles, flavoring such as diacetyl, cancer-causing chemicals, and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.
A: While the evidence for potential health effects is growing, the data is insufficient to understand the full impact on health since the devices have not been on the market long enough. The long-term effects of using e-cigarettes or being exposed to them are yet unknown.
A: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a growing body of evidence that adolescents who never tried cigarettes but use e-cigarettes at least double their chance of starting to smoke cigarettes later in life.
A: Address it as you would any other health risk and try to resist the urge to lecture, yell, or punish them. It is important to keep the lines of communication open, show your child that you are concerned about their health and safety, and keep the discussion from devolving into a useless standoff.
A: Nicotine makes anxiety and depression worse. It also affects memory, concentration, self-control, and attention, especially in developing brains.