Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol – not “vapor” – produced by a vape or e-cigarette. Vapes and e-cigarettes are the same thing, though youth tend to use the term “vapes” instead of “e-cigarettes.” Vaping has become more popular among teens than regular cigarettes, especially given that they are rechargeable, easy to hide, and have a quickly disappearing aerosol. Vaping devices can be used for anything from highly-concentrated nicotine, with flavors like mango and blueberry, to potent concentrates of THC (the chemical compound in marijuana that produces the high). The most current U.S. vaping data available (from the 2022 Monitoring the Future Survey) revealed that 20.7% of 12th graders, 14.2% of 10th graders, and 7.1% of 8th graders had vaped in the last 30 days (a marker of “regular” use).

The Missouri state average for 6th to 12th graders vaping within the last 30 days was 11.0%, according to the 2022 Missouri Student Survey. Because of our parents and other caring adults’ commitment to learning and preventing teen vaping in our local area, reported last 30-day use of vapes among 6th to 12th graders in the Kansas City Northland has declined from 9.3% in 2020 to 6.1% in 2022 (Missouri Student Survey).

Because the human brain isn’t fully developed until about age 25, the part of the brain that makes decisions and controls impulses is also underdeveloped. This is why tweens, teens, and young adults are more likely to take risks with their health and safety, including vaping nicotine, cannabis, and using other drugs. Adolescents are uniquely vulnerable to the long-term effects of exposing their still-growing brains to nicotine, like permanently lowering impulse control. Because the young brain is still developing, youth build connections (synapses) faster than adult brains. Nicotine alters the way these synapses form, which can harm attention, learning, and memory. 

Between fun flavors, bright colors, and increased exposure to vaping-related marketing, it is clear that vaping companies are targeting youth. In a study conducted by the CDC, 31% of youth cited flavors such as candy or fruit as their main reason for vaping. Due to a 2019 FDA decision, formerly popular companies such as Juul are banned from selling flavored nicotine cartridges. Read more about JUUL’s early marketing tactics towards youth here. This ban has shifted companies like Puff Bar, Vuse, and Hyde towards producing disposable vaping devices which allow them to continue targeting youth with appealing flavors and brightly colored, discreet devices. These same enticing qualities are also being applied to other forms of nicotine such as gum, tablets, and pouches.

The integration of vaping ads into daily activities and the use of social media platforms amplify youth exposure to these harmful products. According to results from the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, 70.3% of middle and high school students reported seeing vaping ads at retail stores, on the Internet, in newspapers/magazines, or on television and streaming services. Vaping companies are also leveraging social media platforms and encouraging peer-to-peer advertising through influencers and interactive social media content. The 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey found that 73.5% of middle and high schoolers have seen vaping related posts and content on social media.

In a meta-analysis of six studies, the findings concluded that the risk of smoking increases four times for teens that vape compared to their non-vaping peers. In another study of more than 2,000 tenth graders, researchers found that one in five teens who reported a regular vaping habit at the start of the study smoked traditional cigarettes at least three times a month by the end of the study period. Another 12% of routine vapers smoked at least one day a month. By comparison, of the students who said they hadn’t tried vaping, less than 1% reported having smoked one day a month at the end of the study.

The use of substances such as nicotine, especially early in adolescence, may lead to the use of multiple substances to increase experimentation, risk-taking, and sensation-seeking behaviors in youth and adolescents. Another meta-analysis of several studies found that adolescents who vaped were 6.5 times more likely to drink alcohol and meet the criteria of drunkenness and binge-drinking. They also identified a correlation between vaping nicotine and cannabis use, citing a national study among high school students that found that almost 40% of current vape users also used them to vape THC (the active ingredient in cannabis that creates the “high”).

Connection is key to prevention. Kids that have stable, consistent, and healthy relationships with adults are more likely to make safer decisions and live healthier lives. It’s important that parents and other caring adults, take time to listen, pay attention, spend time, and follow up with the kids in their lives. When kids feel valued, they better understand their feelings and are more willing to listen to parents and caring adults in their lives. 

Teaching kids and teens about the impact of vaping on their developing brains and bodies, and setting clear expectations and rules is crucial to the Parent Up strategy. Without these expectations, rules, and consequences, youth are much more likely to vape or try other drugs. Parent Up encourages parents to start these conversations as early as age 8. Having open and honest conversations about this topic is important for preventing youth use.

Make it clear you don’t approve of them vaping, but be curious and open-minded about their experiences. Ask them questions about what they think about it. Ask them what they know or what they’ve heard about vaping. It’s more important – and effective– to listen and discuss rather than to lecture. Resist interrogating or threatening. You are building a foundation for a relationship with kids and teens that is honest, trusting, and open, which is an important protective factor to safeguard them from all substance use.