What is vaping?
According to the Center on Addiction, “Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to a vapor, which is produced by an e-cigarette or similar device.”
What is the vapor created from?
The vapor is created from cartridges containing nicotine, marijuana or flavoring.
What devices are used for vaping?
Various devices can be used for vaping, including e-cigarettes, vaping pens and personal vaporizers.
How do vaping devices work?
The Center on Addiction says, “Generally a vaping device consists of a mouthpiece, a battery, a cartridge for containing the e-liquid or e-juice, and a heating component, which turns the contents of the e-liquid into an aerosol that is inhaled into the lungs and then exhaled.”
Is vaping dangerous?
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “…many e-cigarette users get even more nicotine than they would from a tobacco product – you can buy extra-strength cartridges, which have a higher concentration of nicotine, or you can increase the e-cigarette’s voltage to get a greater hit of the substance.”
Children who are vaping marijuana may not realize that it is more dangerous than smoking the drug. The DEA has said, “…people often vape a higher concentration of THC which, in turn, intensifies the high and can increase the ‘likelihood of addiction and adverse medical consequences.’”
In addition, it is still not known whether the components of the vaping devices themselves are releasing chemicals that can cause harm to the user.
Where can I find more information about vaping and how to talk to my child about it?
Links to resources have been provided to the right of your screen.