Chronic over activity of these protein-chewing enzymes damages the tiny sensitive air sac structures in the lungs that allow people to breathe. In smokers, this damage is thought to be the cause of emphysema, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involving progressive shortness of breath and for which there is no cure. The researchers also found that the nicotine in vaping liquids is responsible for the increase in protease enzymes. Education programs for students shouldn’t just focus on the dangers of vaping, but also on how students can spot slick marketing campaigns aimed at them. Some schools even recruit students to help convey these messages. School nurses are good resources for tailoring grade-level appropriate messages and materials for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Young people are at greater risk of nicotine dependence than adults and can develop dependence faster. Nicotine dependence means a person is physically and psychologically addicted to nicotine. This produces a strong desire for, and difficulty controlling, nicotine use. Recreational vapes of any type – whether they contain nicotine or not – will be banned from retail sale across Australia after legislation is introduced (though the date is yet to be set).

The e-cig predecessor was “a bit too far ahead of its time,” Rose said.

It gives a person a chance to prepare and gather supplies to help them through the cravings and stress of the early stages of quitting. In 2018, roughly 8.1 million adults in the country engaged in the practice. Vaping is much more common among young people, with 7.6% of those aged 18–24 years identifying as e-cigarette users. In Colorado, at the peak of national teen e-cigarette use, the Boulder Valley School District developed a coordinated response to its student vaping problem.

“You’re not going to punish, yell, or shame your kid out of vaping,” Koval says. Megan Jacobs, managing director of product innovation at Truth Initiative, agrees. “Yelling or saying ‘Just stop’ isn’t a productive way of dealing with an addiction.” CEO of CrossRiverTherapy – a national ABA therapy company based in the USA. 41.% 7% of teens continue to vape for the taste and flavor of the brands. Approximately 5,000 kids that are younger than five years old went to a hospital for e-liquids between 2013 and 2017.

It also puts users at a higher risk for blood clots and increases inflammation in the body in general, increases triglycerides, and lowers good cholesterol. Proponents of e-cigarettes claim they’re safer than smoking because they don’t contain the more than 60 cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke and are not combustible. But e-cigs still deliver harmful chemicals, including nicotine, the extremely addictive substance in cigarettes. And studies show that brands claiming to be “nicotine-free” may still have trace amounts. Developing teenage brains are especially sensitive to nicotine’s addictive properties. As educators, you know it’s important to focus on issues that affect the health of our nation’s youth.

How to Talk to Teens About Vaping Risks

More recently, on September 20, JUUL sued the FDA for the agency’s refusal to disclose documents that justify the initial ban. Keep in mind that being supportive is equally important when someone experiences setbacks in their journey to quit. Research shows that quitting nicotine “cold turkey” is rarely effective, and it’s normal for quitters to need a few tries to figure out what quitting approaches will work for them during their process to quit nicotine. If someone relapses and uses nicotine while trying to quit, avoid punishing or shaming them.

Some schools added vaping to their current smoking and drinking policies to prevent students from using e-cigarettes, but this isn’t always effective. But since vaping happens in the classroom and other school spaces much more frequently, the same policies don’t always translate. Today, young students can vape right in the classroom, and their teachers may not even notice. Read more about packwoods x runtz here. Not only does this influence young people to use e-cigarettes, but it poses a threat to the health and safety of all students.

You might ask, “What would you say if someone offered you their vape? Practicing something along the lines of “No thanks, I’m not interested,” said with direct eye contact and assertive body language can help your child be prepared.

Concerns have been expressed that allowing e-cigarette use in public places may encourage initiation among some youth and young adults, thus, further research is needed in these areas [25]. Families and friends also provided social support to those using e-cigarettes to quit smoking, and for some participants it was primarily the social support that helped them make the transition. Future policies that encourage the switch to e-cigarettes from cigarettes should consider and incorporate the possible moderating/mediating effects of social support. Advertising at the point of sale and availability of e-cigarettes encouraged smokers to try e-cigarettes. Retailers also appeared to play a role in initiation by suggesting e-cigarette trial, and supporting retailers in this role with education about e-cigarettes might support them in their efforts to disinvest from tobacco sales [26].

As with cigarettes, the chemicals in vapes impair the lungs’ protective enzymes and cleaning mechanisms. They weaken the lungs’ ability to filter other toxins in the air as well. As a result, vape users may be at an increased risk of developing emphysema. Manufacturers claim that e-cigarettes bypass many of the health risks of tobacco smoking, providing a healthful alternative.