Vaping And Teens: What Parents Need To Know

The teenage years of adolescence are typically symbolized by curiosity, experimentation, and rebellion. An enjoyable experience for groups of teens, sometimes influenced by peer pressure, is exploring a wide range of substances. In addition to alcohol, cigarettes, party drugs, and opioids, newer products, such as vape pens (or e-cigarettes), have become widespread. Although vaping has massive appeal thanks to the broad spectrum of vape 'juice' flavors, many misconceptions exist that it's a less harmful alternative to smoking cigarettes.

A fatal lung disease is associated with vaping.

A recently discovered lung disease known as EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury) poses an instantaneous health hazard to the lungs after vaping. Not only have dozens of people lost their lives to this fatal disease, but medical treatment at hospitals has been the consequence for thousands more.

Fever and sore throats, difficulty breathing, muscle pain, lethargy, and headaches are the symptoms of EVALI. Diagnosis of this disease, however, can be tricky, not just because EVALI overlaps with several common flu symptoms. X-rays and other imaging tests do not show any evidence of infections, and respiratory symptoms aren't present in the first place.

Brain development is altered in teens who vape.

Not only is the brain directly impacted by the addictive nicotine in vape juice, but its development in teens is also harmed. Nicotine exposure is especially harmful in teens because the brain isn't fully developed until around 25 years old age, which negatively impacts everyday functions such as focus, mental restraint, recollection, and learning.

Heart function also suffers due to vaping.

As a poisonous substance, unpleasant effects on the cardiovascular system result from the nicotine in vape products. The chances of adults with coronary artery disease, heart attack, and depression are higher due to vaping, as recent research by the American College of Cardiology discovered.

Signs Your Teen May Be Vaping

• A persistent night-time cough.

If your teen is coughing relentlessly throughout the night and allergy or cold symptoms aren't ordinarily present, a new vaping habit may be the culprit. In addition, teens don't have to smoke regular cigarettes to experience the same lung agitation caused by inhaled vape juices. While lying down, this respiratory agitation can worsen a cough or sound like phlegmy "throat-clearing" that won't cough.

• They've taken a social media interest in vaping trends or influencers.

Considering the widespread popularity of vaping, a trendy culture is undoubtedly surrounding it. If names of well-known vaping influences such as Mike Vapes, Victor Mullin, or Austin Lawrence are seen repeatedly in your teen's social media accounts, there's a strong indicator they may be vaping.

• Unusual electronic or 'USB' style' compartments in trash bins, travel bags, or pockets.

Packaging for vape juices varies substantially in terms of dimensions and form. Narrow and long shapes, like a pen or a USB drive. Switching and replacing small components is also necessary for using a vape pen, which may be lying in their bedroom, clothing, or discreetly hidden away.