Teenagers and e-cigarettes
E-cigarettes:
There are numerous different types of battery-powered devices known as electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes. All of them use heat to turn liquids—known as e-liquids—into an aerosol that users inhale. They might include flavourings, nicotine, and a variety of dangerous and hazardous substances. Mango, lime, and mint are among the flavours of e-liquids that appeal to young people. Toxic chemicals may also be produced by the heat from e-cigarettes.
Other names for them include e-cigarettes, vape pens, vapes, juuls (pronounced “jewels”), electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS), alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS), personal vaporizers, e-hookahs, mods, and vape pens.
A common term for using e-cigarettes is “vaping.” It is also known as “juuling” at times.
What dangers do e-cigarettes pose to your health?
Nicotine, which is found in most e-cigarettes, is extremely addicting, especially to teenagers. Even those with the label “nicotine free” may still include nicotine in their e-cigarettes and e-cigarette liquid. The nicotine content of one e-liquid pod is equivalent to that of a packet of cigarettes.
Teenage nicotine use can negatively impact brain development, which lasts until roughly age 25. It can impair cognition, memory, and focus as well as raise the possibility of developing a drug addiction in the future. There’s a chance that youth who use e-cigarettes will eventually switch to traditional cigarettes.
E-liquid use or skin contact can contaminate both adults and children. Sweating, lightheadedness, nausea, and an elevated heart rate are signs of nicotine toxicity.
Young children may also be at risk from e-liquids if they inhale, consume, or spill them on their skin. Tiny doses of nicotine can be fatal to a young infant. Nicotine poisoning can have relatively rapid onset of symptoms. If you believe your child may have come into contact with nicotine, you should get in touch with a doctor right once or dial 911.
The United States has recently seen an outbreak of lung disease and deaths linked to e-cigarette usage, which suggests that e-cigarette aerosol can be hazardous to the lungs, even if scientists are still learning about the short- and long-term health impacts of using these devices. Short-term side effects from e-cigarette use include coughing and difficulty breathing. Inhaling substances that cause cancer raises the chance of developing cancer, and many e-cigarettes include proven carcinogens. Long-term usage of e-cigarettes raises the risk of heart disease as well. Additionally, marijuana and other dangerous chemicals that have been connected to lung disease can be delivered via modified e-cigarettes.
Some flames and explosions have been started by faulty e-cigarette batteries, putting the user at danger of burns and other serious injuries.
Guidelines for parents:
It is crucial that you, as a parent or other adult carer, shield kids from e-cigarettes.
Never smoke or vape in the house, car, or any other area where kids might be present is the greatest way to keep your kids safe. For kids and teenagers, passive exposure to e-cigarette vapour can be harmful.
It is forbidden to use e-cigarettes in cars when there are children under the age of sixteen present in the majority of Australian states and territories.
Parental education about e-cigarettes is necessary. It’s crucial to discuss the health dangers of e-cigarettes with your adolescent. Teenagers generally believe that electronic cigarettes are safe. Understanding the various gadgets’ appearances as well as the lexicon that teenagers could use to characterise their e-cigarette use is beneficial. This will facilitate your conversation with your teen regarding e-cigarettes.
If any of the issues discussed in this article are causing problems for you, please do not hesitate to contact us, and we will try to assist you in any way possible.