Almost 1 in 3 Maine teens have used e-cigarettes in the last 30 days.

Here’s the lowdown:

Vape pens are easy to hide and easy to confuse with other electronic gadgets like USB flash drives. When used they generally don’t leave lingering smells on clothes. For this reason, these devices have become very appealing to underage users, and puzzling to parents. Gone are the days when sniffing a teenager’s jean jacket or gym bag counted as a drug screening. Now if parents want to know if their teens are vaping nicotine or cannabis, their best bet is a good old fashioned conversation.

Almost 1 in 3 Maine kids have vaped in the last 30 days.* And surprisingly, there’s a widespread misunderstanding among teens that vaping is safe. 2 out of 3 kids don’t realize JUUL always has nicotine.**
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Here’s a little more information that may answer some of your questions:

E-cigarettes. JUULing. Vaping. What’s the difference?

Nothing.
It’s just appearance.
Some look like cigarettes, others like phones, pens, and USB drives.
All are considered vaping.
For our kids, the most popular e-cigarette is JUUL. Looking like a USB drive, JUUL pods do not produce a harmless water vapor. The “vapor” is an aerosol that contains nicotine and other substances. JUUL pods have roughly as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes.

Flavors designed to hook kids.

Strawberry lemonade, cotton candy, sour apple… these are all flavors of vape juice our kids have access to. In fact, 4 out of 5 kids who vape nicotine use flavors.* Although JUUL, is under pressure from the FDA, has scaled back its flavors, many knockoffs and competing brands still offer them. Learn more about how flavors are hooking our teens.
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Health Effects of E-cigarettes:

It’s Not Approved

• E-cigarette products are unregulated with no oversight on their ingredients.

It Contains Nicotine

• Almost all e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. It effects the brain in a way that it makes cocaine and heroin more rewarding should your child experiment with such drugs.

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It’s Not Harmless and it’s Not Just Juice

• Known for its buttery smell, diacetyl is a popular flavoring in the food industry. There has been diacetyl in e-juices linked to serious lung disease known as “Popcorn Lung”.
• The aerosol from e-cigarettes is not harmless. It can contain ultrafine particles which can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
• Many include dangerous organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.

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There’s Short-Term and Long-Term Risks

• E-cigarettes cause heart rates and blood pressure to increase, which can result in circulatory problems and increase the risk of a heart attack or heart disease.
• Nicotine harms brain development, which continues to grow until age 25.
• E-cigarette batteries have caused accidental fires and explosions – some of which have resulted in serious injuries.
• Inhaling the aerosol from the e-juices has been shown to damage airways.

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Co-Use May Occur

• Reports suggest that e-cigarette use is linked to alcohol use and other substance use. Certain e-cigarette products can be used to deliver other drugs like marijuana.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT VAPING

Maine Vaping Support Line

Available to any Maine adult or youth, speak with a trained Quit Coach for support and get answers to your questions about vaping. It’s free and confidential! Call 1-844-9NO-VAPE to speak with a coach or email NoVAPE@MaineQuitLink.com for support.