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E-Cigarettes: Talk About the Risks

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In recent years, e-cigarette use by youth and young adults has increased at an alarming rate. The U.S. Surgeon General declared e-cigarette use among youth an epidemic, with rates increasing 78 percent from 2017 to 2018. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows one in five high school students and one in 20 middle school students currently uses e-cigarettes. Because most tobacco use starts during adolescence, it’s important for parents to talk to kids about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and encourage them to live tobacco-free.
E-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a liquid – usually containing nicotine mixed with the chemicals propylene glycol and glycerin – into a vapor that users can inhale (called vaping or “Juuling” by most teens and young adults). Common nicknames for the devices are, “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” and “tank systems.” E-cigarettes, or Juuls – a popular e-cigarette brand – come in many shapes and sizes. Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens, or other everyday items.
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm brain development, which continues until about age 25. Research shows younger users of tobacco products are more likely to become addicted and have more difficulty quitting. Besides nicotine, e-cigarette aerosol can contain substances that harm the body. This includes cancer-causing chemicals and tiny particles that reach deep into lungs. Research has also shown that young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to go on to use regular cigarettes or other drugs.
Reasons for e-cigarette use among youth include taste, curiosity, and the belief that e-cigarettes are less harmful than other tobacco products. The e-cigarette industry spends millions of dollars a year to promote their products directly to teens and young adults. E-cigarettes are available in candy flavors such as bubble gum and gummy bear, which appeal to this age group. More than 85 percent of e-cigarette users ages 12-17 use flavored e-cigarettes.
Parents play a key role in keeping their kids tobacco-free. Here are some tips to help you talk with your teen about e-cigarettes:
To learn more about all the ways you can stay healthy, visit the Health & Wellness page on www.anthem.com/wisconsin. Our team of experts shares new health tips, topics, and preventive care programs for you and your family to use. Anthem is a community partner of Chippewa Valley Family.
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