Products
Vapes
The Dangers of Vaping
Many people wrongly think vapes are less addictive than cigarettes. However, most vapes contain just as much — or more — nicotine than a pack of cigarettes.
Vaping doesn’t just expose users to nicotine — it also delivers toxic chemicals that can impact your mental health along with damaging your lungs, heart and brain.
Vape Facts
Vapes contain chemicals you wouldn’t want anywhere near your body. A list of common ingredients includes, but is not limited to:
- Carcinogens – cause cancer (i.e. acetaldehyde and formaldehyde)
- Acrolein – found in weed killer and can cause permanent lung damage
- Diacetyl – linked to lung disease or “popcorn lung”
- Cadmium – found in traditional cigarettes and damages lungs
- Propylene glycol – used in antifreeze and paint solvents
Health Effects
Vapes are still relatively new. While research on the long-term health effects is still ongoing, several risks have already been identified¹:
Respiratory issues
Long-term exposure to vaping aerosols may lead to lung damage and other complications, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), increased asthma attacks and lung cancer.
Lung irritation
Vaping may cause coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. For those suffering from asthma, it can trigger asthma attacks and other complications.
Addiction
Vapes quickly deliver high levels of nicotine. It only takes one vape to cause a lifelong struggle with addiction.
Bad breath and dental issues
It doesn’t take much to impact your oral health. Vaping can cause bad breath and dry mouth, eventually leading to gum disease, yellowing of the teeth and an increased risk of tooth decay.
Nicotine poisoning
Consuming too much nicotine can lead to vomiting, upset stomach, digestive issues and even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that 50 to 60 milligrams of nicotine is a deadly dose for an adult who weighs about 150 pounds. The CDC also states the amount of nicotine in a single vape varies widely, but can be up to 20 milligrams — or more. The risks are heightened for teens.
Burns
Malfunctioning devices can cause burns to the mouth or hands.
Mental Health
In addition to the physical toll, vaping can also affect the brain. For years, researchers have known that nicotine can have lifelong effects on mental health, especially on developing brains. Even small doses of nicotine can greatly affect teens’ mental health. Today, research is revealing serious and immediate mental health risks associated with nicotine use among teens, including:
Learning difficulties
Mood swings
Anxiety
Impulsivity
Depression
For many, it starts with the mood-altering effects of nicotine. Nicotine can have an appealing impact on consumers’ attention and concentration, as well as masking mental health symptoms or medication side effects. For people who experience panic attacks, withdrawing from nicotine increases the heart rate, which can trigger an attack and contribute to the fear of quitting. However, understanding the true impact nicotine has on mental health is the first step in breaking the cycle of addiction.
Vaping Among Oklahoma Youth
Vapes are designed to look cool and be easy to hide — and unfortunately that tactic is working.
In Oklahoma, 1 in 5 (21.8%) high school students uses vape products — double the national average of 1 in 10.²
Teens are ordering vapes online with weak age checks and “discreet” shipping, meaning they’re hidden in makeup bags or tech boxes. New “smart” vapes even include Bluetooth features, games and music — new addictive components that make them harder to quit.
The Lies Behind the Marketing
Vape companies falsely advertise vapes as safe stress-relievers that can help you focus. Some even use mental health language to sell their products.
Here’s the truth:
- Vaping worsens anxiety and depression
- Vapes are not a safe way to quit smoking
- Most teens who use nicotine start with vapes, not cigarettes
Protecting the Public
In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was granted authority to regulate all tobacco products, including vapes. The federal regulations include:
- Minimum age restrictions
- Requirements to include a nicotine warning
- Required disclosure of existing health information, including a list of ingredients and health effects
While these efforts have helped make the dangers of vaping a wider-known issue, Big Tobacco is great at finding loopholes.
Need Help Quitting Nicotine?
For youth ready to quit, help is available. Visit TSETHealthyYouth.com to find free, youth-focused quit programs backed by science.