Smoking Cessation

What is an E-Cigarette? 

Electronic cigarettes produce an aerosol by heating liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals. Users inhale this aerosol into their lungs. E-cigarettes can also be used to deliver marijuana and other drugs.

• E-cigarettes can also be called “e-cigs,” “mods,” “vapes,” “vape pens” and “juuls” 
• Some e-cigarettes resemble USB sticks, pens and other everyday items. 
• Flavored e-cigarettes make them more appealing to youth. 

97% of youth who vape say that they use flavored e-cigarettes. Although there are recent bans on flavorings, they are still on the market as disposable vapes. 

Dangers of vaping for youth: 

• The brain does not fully develop until 25 years old, making vaping harmful to brain development. It can also cause memory loss and problems with learning and attention.
• Aerosol can contain harmful substances including nicotine, heavy metals like lead, volatile organic compounds and cancer-causing agents
• Vapes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can increase likelihood of using other tobacco products. 
• E-cigarettes can explode and cause second and third degree burns.   

• Ear, eye, and throat irritation is common among those who vape
• Nicotine is known to have negative effects on the cardiovascular system. Risks include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and damage to the blood vessels that can lead to cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke.
• Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that, when used by young people, can cause changes in the brain that make life-long addiction more likely. Youth who vape are four times more likely to smoke traditional cigarettes than their peers.
• Aerosols produced by the chemicals in e-juice enter the users' lung unfiltered and can cause damage to the lungs, including increased risk of asthma and chronic lung disease. 

1. JUUL pods and other e-cigarettes do not contain nicotine.
   1. The majority of e-cigarettes contain nicotine. One JUUL pod can contain more nicotine than one pack, or 20 cigarettes.
2. E-cigarettes are made of harmless water vapor.
   1. The aerosol from vaping is full of harmful chemicals such as nicotine, formaldehyde, nitrosamines and metal particles. Three out of four vape juices contain chemicals linked to lung disease.
3. Vaping and Juuling are safe alternatives to smoking.
   1. Although vaping can be used as a way for adult smokers to quit, safer does not equal safe. We still do not know many of the dangerous effects of vaping. 
4. Vaping doesn’t lead to smoking cigarettes.
   1. Youth who vape are four times more likely to start smoking tobacco cigarettes than their peers who don’t vape.
5. In Virginia, you can buy e-cigarettes at 18 years old.
   1. As of July 2019, the minimum age in Virginia was raised from 18 to 21 to buy tobacco, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes . 

• 1/800 QUIT-NOW
• American Cancer Society
• American Lung Association