VAPE PENS- What Are They and Why Do We Care?

Thanks to the abundance of research and marketing around the consequences of tobacco use, teen cigarette use has decreased significantly over the past decade. While this is a huge celebration- with the decrease in popularity of smoking, the increase in popularity around vaping has emerged.

What is "Vaping"

Vaping is one of the newer crazes among teenagers and young adults today. Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the vapor of some form of e-liquid from an electronic delivery device, such as a vape or hookah pen.

There are hundreds of different models of electronic delivery devices that come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. Some are used specifically for nicotine replacement (such as e-cigarettes), some are used with various e-liquids that you can buy from local shops or online, some are used for marijuana (liquid, wax/dabs or herb), and many can be used interchangeably.

As the vaping trend has progressed hundreds of different e-liquids have emerged on the market. E-Liquids are the liquids that are heated/vaporized and then inhaled by users, more often than not causing some kind of "buzz". While some of these liquids may just be flavored juices, most contain high concentrations of nicotine. Users can also purchase or make liquid THC (oil and wax) to be used with the pens. The liquid is put into the device and heated, causing it to vaporize which is then inhaled.

Is It Safe?

"Vaping" is still too new of a trend for researchers to identify all the potential health effects but what we do know is:

·       E-liquids are not regulated by the FDA, and manufacturers do not  need to list all of the ingredients in the liquid. This makes it difficult for researchers or anyone to know the real impact

·       Common ingredients in most liquids may appear to be harmless however, the high temperatures and heating of the liquids (which has only intensified with the newest trend "dripping") can drastically change the composition of these ingredients making them toxic.

·       Whether in a traditional cigarette or e-liquid, nicotine is still an extremely addictive substance and has the same impact on the adolescent brain.

·       Nicotine has been shown to significantly impact brain development including the reward system and brain circuits that control attention and learning. Possible impact includes permanent difficulty with attention and impulse control, mood disorders, and a primed brain for other addiction to other substances.

·       E-Liquids and waxes used with vaping contain a significantly higher concentration of nicotine and THC which carry health concerns such as nicotine poisoning and risky side effects from THC such as increased psychiatric symptoms. Because of the ease of use, the social culture around vaping, and the different enjoyable flavors many teens are consuming well over the recommended amount and making themselves seriously ill.

Why are Schools Concerned?

In addition to just wanting our students to be safe and healthy, vaping has created another barrier in trying to keep our schools and students safe. Due to the fact that the vaping typically does not generate any kind of odor (or if it does it may just smell fruity) it is difficult for adults to detect when a student has been vaping at school, including the use of marijuana or another home-made liquid which has included other illicit substances for the user to get high.

Sources include: TN Coalitions White Paper, MIG Vapor: What is Vaping? A Complete Guide and Infographic, Science News for Students, Drug Abuse.gov, "The Truth Behind E-Liquid Poisoning", JustThinkTwice.gov, DrugfreeNH, American Association of Poison Control