What We Know
Nicotine can cause physical addiction and harm adolescent brain development.- E-cigarettes use a battery to heat a liquid containing nicotine or other substances. They may look like USB drive or regular cigarettes but they also come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Some youth refer to these products by their brand names (Juul, Puffbar, or Sorin for example).
- Almost all e-cigarettes (more than 99%) contain nicotine. E-cigarettes and other vape products can also contain other harmful substances besides nicotine.
- Youth who start using nicotine-containing vape products may be more likely to smoke cigarettes later in life.
- Nicotine can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood and impulse control.
- Nicotine use in the teen years may increase the risk of future addiction to other drugs.
(Source: CDC.gov Electronic Cigarettes Basic Information page: Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults | CDC)
How We Can Help
- Talk to your youth about tobacco and why it is dangerous for them. Need help? Visit Tobacco is Changing or Small Talks for tips on getting the conversation started.
- Keep an eye out for tobacco and nicotine products in your home. Not sure what to look for? Visit the Resources page to check out the Hidden in Plain Sight and Vape Escape activities.
- Encourage youth to get involved with activities that discourage nicotine and tobacco use.
- Set a good example by living nicotine-free. Need help to stop smoking or vaping? Check out our Resources down below for free online help.
- Remind local retailers to keep nicotine-containing products and advertising away from children by displaying products and advertising at least 36 inches off the ground.
Download the Tobacco is Changing Talk and Take Action Fact Sheet.
Resources
Tobacco Quit Line: Call 1-800-QUITNOW (784 8669) or text “READY” to 200-400 to get free assistance and a customized quit plan. Plan includes one-on-one phone counseling, referral to local cessation programs and starter packs of quite smoking medications (nicotine gum, patches or lozenges). Offered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Smokefree Text Program: Text “QUIT” to 47848 to get daily text messages to support you in quitting smoking for 6-8 weeks. Offered by the National Cancer Institute at Smokefree.gov.
Vape Free program: Text VAPEFREE to 873373 for free help to quit vaping. You’ll receive tools to help you through your quit journey.
NOT for Me: A free, web-based program with 8 self-paced sessions (mobile friendly) based on the N-O-T (Not On Tobacco) program. Visit NOTforMe.org. Not On Tobacco is a program from the American Lung Association.
BecomeAnEX: Free digital quit-smoking plan developed by Truth Initiative and the Mayo Clinic. Learn more and sign up at https://truthinitiative.org
This Is Quitting: Free quit-vaping text messaging program designed for teens and young adults. Teens and young adults can join for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709. Developed by Truth Initiative.
Parent Tip Sheet: How to talk to your teen about e-cigarettes. Check it out here.
Tobacco Free Kids: Up to the minute news and trends on vaping and nicotine use. Site includes resources in English and Spanish. tobaccofreekids.org/
How to talk to teens about vaping is a thoughtful health news article from NPR.
How to safely dispose of E-Cigarette/Vapes Guide
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Clouded
Keeping kids safe from the dangers of vaping is a concern for parents. Parents are encouraged to talk with their children early on and frequently in this public service announcement from SAMHSA's "Talk. They Hear You." parent-focused national media campaign. For more information about talking with your kids about underage use of alcohol and other drugs, visit underagedrinking.samhsa.gov.
