Kansas City,
13
August
2020
|
17:49 PM
America/Chicago

Vaping Myths and Facts

Even if you don’t use electronic cigarettes, you’ve probably seen someone “vaping,” or know someone who does. After all, it’s not illegal. And if it’s common, it’s probably okay. Right?

Well, not really. Vaping is far from safe. It can hurt your lungs. Even worse, some people have died after vaping. And, vaping companies are targeting teens like you with their designs, brightly colored packaging and flavorings.

That’s why Children’s Mercy Kansas City wants you to know the facts about this dangerous habit.

Myth #1: Vaping is harmless.

Fact: When someone vapes, it looks kind of like they’re smoking. That’s because these electronic cigarettes—or e-cigarettes—heat a liquid into a mist that you inhale and exhale. Vaping delivers chemicals into the lungs that aren’t supposed to be there.

Even if vaping seems harmless, it’s not. Vaping products aren’t controlled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That means we don’t always know what they contain or how they are made.

Myth #2: Vaping just uses flavored water. That’s not dangerous.

Fact: Vaping is not just inhaling water vapor. There isn’t even water in the cartridges people use. They are filled with liquids that contain chemicals, nicotine and flavorings.

Myth #3: Vaping can’t make you sick.

Fact: If you or your friends vape, you could be gambling with your health. It can cause asthma issues, lung injuries, or even hospital visits.

Myth #4: Vaping is a safe way to stop smoking.

Fact: At first, vaping was thought to be a safe way to help adults addicted to cigarettes to stop. But, it was not supposed to be a substitute for smoking. Now we know you can get addicted to vaping and there are other side effects.

Myth #5: Vaping isn’t as bad for you as smoking.

Fact: The nicotine in one small vaping “pod” can be as much as a whole pack of cigarettes or more. That means vaping a single pod can cause a nicotine addiction and could be enough to make you sick.

Please Stop …

Vaping can be highly addictive. If you or someone in your life is vaping and wants to stop, you need to treat this addiction like any other and get help.

Children’s Mercy Kansas City has a special Vaping Cessation Clinic to help teens stop using these products. The clinic is part of the Division of Adolescent Medicine, staffed by physicians and advanced nurse practitioners who are experts in caring for patients ages 10 to 21.

We take an individualized approach to your appointment at the Vaping Cessation Clinic. Topics covered include:

  • History of nicotine/tobacco use
  • Identification of use patterns for best approach to quitting
  • Surveys and nicotine levels to determine severity of addiction
  • Counseling
  • Medication-assisted treatment, as needed

Clinics are conducted at two locations. Evening and weekend appointments are available.

You or your primary care provider can request a consultation with the Vaping Cessation Clinic. To learn more call (816) 960-4152 or visit the Children's Mercy website

Vaping Facts

  • 1 JUUl cartridge = 20 cigarettes = 200 puffs
  • 99% of all e-cigarette products sold in the U.S. contain nicotine
  • 51% of teens think they are only vaping “flavored water”
  • 50% of current adolescent smokers have tried to quit smoking without success
  • 44% of U.S. teens have tried vaping
  • 31% of teens who vape start smoking cigarettes, cigars or hookahs within 6 months
  • 20% of high school and middle school students have seen a JUUL used in school
  • Teens are 3-4x more likely to smoke cigarettes if they use vaping products first based on numerous studies

Resources

American Lung Association

National Students Against Nicotine