You may have seen or heard about kids in your school or town using e-cigarettes. Some teens assume that using e-cigarettes — also known as vaping — is safe. After all, e-cigarettes can come in flavors, so how bad can they really be? The truth is that vaping exposes you to very real — and very scary — health risks. These include exposure to dangerous chemicals, as well as the drug nicotine, which can harm your brain and cause addiction.
E-cigarettes are battery-operated and create an aerosol for a user to inhale. When a person uses an e-cigarette, the liquid inside heats up and becomes the aerosol, which typically contains nicotine, flavorings, and chemicals, some of which are toxic. The e-liquids often come in flavors and the chemicals used to create flavors can be harmful. E-cigarette aerosol can also contain other chemicals like formaldehyde and metal particles such as nickel, lead, chromium, tin, and aluminum. Breathing in e-cigarette aerosol can deliver these chemicals to your lungs where they can cause damage.
Some middle schoolers say they vape because their friends do—either to feel cool or because they're afraid to say "no". The best way to reduce your exposure to the health hazards of vaping is to say "no". What would you do if another kid offered you an e-cigarette? Here are three ways to handle the pressure—and stay safe.
Say "No, thanks," or "Nah, that's not my thing."
Make a joke or change the topic.
Say you're supposed to be somewhere and walk away. Talk to a friend, parent, or trusted adult.
Contact Information
Tobacco Prevention and
Control Dept. of State Health Services
PO Box 149347
Mail Code 1965
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
Tobacco.free@dshs.texas.gov
For more information, visit: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/tobacco/
In Texas, an individual must be 21 years old to buy or own an e-cigarette.
Ready to Quit? Call the Texas Quitline at 1-877-YES-QUIT