Vaping Use Amongst Teens Remains High

The world has battled the rising use of nicotine and marijuana use by U.S. teens. While those usage numbers have leveled off, the amount of use is still too high according to researchers. There is a date to support that from 2017 to 2019, the percentage of teens that vaped nicotine the past year doubled. That includes a jump from 7.5% to 16.5% among eighth-graders, 15.8% to 30.7% among ninth graders, and 18.8% to 35.3% among 12th graders. While nicotine vaping fell on a daily level to 3.6%, there is a growing concern with the use of vape pens. 

The concern

The rapid use of teen nicotine vaping in recent years is as deeply concerning as free slots spam. Research has found that teenagers are continuing to buy products connected to vaping. Nicotine is highly addictive and can be delivered in high doses when a teen is vaping. It may contain other toxic chemicals that can be harmful to the lungs and overall body. While it appears that the trend is leveling off on daily use, the rates are still fairly high. 

Taken from Pixabay

Over the last two years, the data supports that teens from eighth grade to 12th grade have doubled their use, while marijuana vaping fell. Another find in the survey found that the use of Juul vaping had a large drop for those in high school. There has been little change in alcohol and cigarette use in recent years though. 

Vaping explained

Vaping is an electronic cigarette that simulates tobacco smoking. It consists of an atomizer, which is a power source that serves a battery and contains a container such as a cartridge or a tank. Instead of smoking, the user inhales the vapor. These are offered as flavors that change the smell of the smoke. It can offer a fruity scent, which makes the boy standing next to the smoker more comfortable. E-cigarettes are activated when the person takes a puff or presses the button. 

E-cigarettes create an aerosol. The vapor contains glycerine, nicotine, and flavors, but also toxicants, carcinogens, heavy metals, and nanoparticles. While many electronic cigarette companies contest that there are fewer toxic chemicals, there is no conclusive evidence that supports this claim. In the end, the user is breathing in harmful chemicals not found in tobacco smoke. 

Popularity

In the late 1900s, smoking among teenagers was considered the trend. As technology grew over time, smoking a regular cigarette was not enough. Smoking an electronic cigarette became the next hip fad. Another reason why many were drawn to vaping was the replacement smell. The traditional smell of cigarettes is not well received by many in the public. It was one of the many reasons why states around the country called for the ban of smoking inside of restaurants. With vaping, you can choose a fresh scent that makes standing next to the smoker more enjoyable. However, the flavors can harm your heart. 

Risks of vaping

Vaping may contain less severe health consequences, if used in small quantities, than traditional cigarettes. Big data analytics have found there are some risks you take when you participate in vaping. These risks are outlined down below: 

• Electronic cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine. In some cases, one JUULpod is equivalent to one pack of cigarettes. Because consumers believe that vaping is the better option, they tend to consume more products. 
• Because there is so much nicotine, vaping leads to extreme addition. Teens are more likely to get addicted because their brains are still developing, which makes them more likely to participate in drug and alcohol experimentation. 
• Addiction can affect one’s ability to focus. It can impact a teen’s alertness and attention, which decreases their attention span. For example, sitting in a classroom during testing is likely hard because one might be craving the nicotine they are addicted to. This can lead to fidgeting and irritability. 
• Like traditional cigarettes, E-cigarettes contain similar carcinogenic compounds that are amplified. 
• If you vape, you are still prone to lung disease, heart problems, and lung cancer. Damage is done to your immune system, which leads you more susceptible to getting sick. Vaping can lead to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and circulatory problems. If you are an athlete, vaping significantly impacts your overall performance. 
• Death and lung illness are associated with vaping. For now, it is unclear how many deaths are caused by cartridges containing THC or CBD oil. Doctors recommend that everyone stays away from vaping entirely until full studies are conducted. 
• EOne study found that vaping does cause lung irritation akin to that seen in smokers and people with lung disease and causes damage to vital immune system cells.
• There have been several deaths and hundreds of cases of lung illness attributed to vaping. Right now it is unclear if the cause is bootleg cartridges containing THC or CBD oil or legal nicotine cartridges. The CDC and the American Medical Association are recommending that people avoid vaping entirely while this is being investigated.
• Taskiran notes that vaping increases heart rate and blood pressure so can increase circulatory problems. One teen he works with started vaping and found that his swim times dropped because he can no longer sustain the heart rate required for swimming.

Conclusion

In the end, vaping can be detrimental to your health. Since electronic cigarettes leave such a small odor, they are very easy to hide in public places, as well as school. Kids are also using vape pens to smoke marijuana at an increased rate, which brings its own risk. As this continues to be a problem, it’s better to be informed about the risks, so that teens can make healthy decisions.  Vaping can be a gateway drug that leads to many harmful substances. 

As a parent, it’s important to know that this is happening. By no means should you rummage through your child’s belongings. However, having a conversation with your child about the risk factors of vaping would be important. Having trust and communication is important to a relationship, especially with your young adult.