How To Discuss E-Cigarettes & Nicotine Addiction With Youth

Editor’s Note: This is part two of a five part series regarding e-cigarettes. The first part was printed in the Feb. 22 edition.

According to the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than 2.5 million students used e-cigarettes in the last 30 days, and more than a quarter of high school aged users report daily use. Given those concerning numbers, many teens may find themselves on the path to nicotine addiction. This article is geared toward parents, though educators and other influential adults can also use these resources to make a profound difference by talking to a teen about addiction. Educators can also share this article directly with parents. Read on to learn how to identify symptoms of nicotine addiction in youth and what you can do to help them.

Read Up Before

You Bring It Up

Educate yourself about e-cigarettes before discussing them with your teen. The first thing to know is that an e-cigarette is a battery-powered device that heats an “e-liquid”—usually containing nicotine—to create an aerosol that the user inhales into their lungs. The e-liquid can also contain varying compositions of flavorings and other chemical additives, such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. Kids know these products by a variety of names—vapes, vaporizers, vape pens—or by popular brand names—Juul, Puff Bar, Vuse, Blu, Suorin, and NJOY.

E-cigarettes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and some may look like USB flash drives or pens, which can make them easy for teens to hide. Although this article is focused on e-cigarettes containing nicotine, you should also be aware that vape devices can be used to deliver marijuana or liquids containing THC.

Any questions or wanting information on Tobacco and Vaping regarding the youth, contact Tobacco Education Specialist Teri Long- Meche Valley County Health Department 406-228-6261.