It's Time
to Rethink
Vaping.
Vaping has different risks than smoking, and it’s not safe for teens. Considering the chemicals in the aerosol, the risks to your health, and the tobacco company connections, it’s time to rethink vaping.
Nicotine
You may have heard about nicotine before. But why is nicotine so bad? Nicotine is the addictive chemical in cigarettes and most vapes. Addictive chemicals trick your brain into thinking it’s getting something good. And teens can get hooked on nicotine more easily than adults. Plus, nicotine is as addictive as heroin, cocaine, and alcohol! Which means quitting (smoking OR vaping) is hard to do. For teens, it gets worse; nicotine can harm your brain development, which may affect comprehension, critical thinking, attention, learning, and mood. Plus, nicotine raises your blood pressure and increases your heartbeat.
Even scarier, unlike many other products (like foods and drugs), e-cigarettes are not regulated. That means that no one is checking what the companies say is in e-cigarettes or vapes, e-liquid (“e-juice”) or vape pods. Some studies have found that the actual nicotine content in some e-liquids is different than what it says on the label. E-liquid advertised as “nicotine free” has even been found to contain nicotine. Also alarming is that a single JUUL pod contains more nicotine than one pack, or more than 20 regular cigarettes.
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AcroleinUsed as a pesticide to control algae, weeds, bacteria, and mollusks. It’s also used to make other chemicals.
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Metal and fiber particlesMetals like tin are present in vapor. Because these metals come from the device, they are not even present in regular cigarettes.
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NitrosaminesCan cause cancer. They are volatile and highly flammable organic compounds, and some have been used in medication.
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DiacetylInhaling this chemical may cause permanent, severe, and potentially deadly lung disease. Breathing in diacetyl at high levels has been shown to cause a serious lung disease sometimes referred to as “popcorn lung”.
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FormaldehydeIs a chemical widely used to make home building products. Formaldehyde is so harmful that there are rules to lower contact with formaldehyde in the home. Formaldehyde may cause chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, and nose and throat irritation. Breathing in high levels of formaldehyde may cause cancer and increase the risk of asthma and allergies in kids.
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Diethylene glycolA key ingredient used in antifreeze.
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Lung FunctionEven if vapes or JUULs have different bad effects than traditional cigarettes, vaping still reduces lung function. Breathing in the ultra-fine particles from vaping can irritate your lungs and may start an asthma attack. Studies have shown lung cell damage from vape juice—including those that have nicotine, and the chemicals used to make the flavors.
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Vapes are Blowing Up. LiterallyIf you're thinking about health concerns from vaping, you’re usually thinking about the chemicals in the aerosol; not the devices themselves. But, guess what? Some vape devices have exploded and caused third degree burns to the face, chest, and hands.
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Heart ProblemsBreathing in aerosol can cause tightening or narrowing in your arteries, which could lead to a heart attack.
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Poisoning and ChokingYou can get "nic sick," or overdose on nicotine, from vaping and JUULing. Kids, pets and non-users can also get really sick or die if they swallow or even touch a very small amount of vape liquid.
Second Hand "Vapor"
It’s actually aerosol, not vapor, and when it goes into the air it can be breathed in by others; similar to second hand smoke from traditional cigarette smoke. And if a pregnant person is exposed to second hand aerosol, the nicotine can affect the lung and brain development of the unborn child. It may also hurt pets, friends or family members, especially someone with asthma.
Links between cigarette and vape brands
(Lorillard / RJ Reynolds)
(Philip Morris)
Tobacco
Pall Mall
Newport
American Spirit
Parliament
Virginia Slims
Salem
Kool
Maverick
Mark Ten
IQOS
JUUL
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Tobacco CompanyReynolds
(Lorillard / RJ Reynolds)Cigarette BrandsCamel
Pall Mall
Newport
American SpiritE-Cig BrandsVuse -
Tobacco CompanyAltria
(Philip Morris)Cigarette BrandsMarlboro
Parliament
Virginia SlimsE-Cig BrandsGreen Smoke
Mark Ten -
Tobacco CompanyImperial TobaccoCigarette BrandsWinston
Salem
Kool
MaverickE-Cig BrandsBlue
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