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Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-operated devices that may look like a cigarette, cigar, pipe, pen, flash drive, or other common item. They make a smokeless vapor that the person inhales. Because of this, using an e-cigarette is called vaping.
E-cigarettes come in different designs and styles but have these things in common:
Some e-cigarettes have a rechargeable battery and refillable cartridges. Others are disposable.
Other names used are e-cigs, e-hookahs, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), mods, tank systems, vapes, vaping devices, or vape pens.
Children and teens should not use e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes contain chemicals, including flavorings that appeal to children and teens. These chemicals can irritate your child’s lungs and worsen breathing problems including asthma. Some of these chemicals may cause lung damage, pneumonia, or cancer, and make your child more vulnerable to viral and other infections. The vapor from e-cigarettes may also be harmful to people who are near someone who is vaping, like secondhand smoke. For this reason, many cities have passed laws against vaping in public places. Vapor from e-cigarettes also contains chemicals that can stay on surfaces such as carpet, floors, walls, and clothes. People can be exposed to these chemicals by touching a surface and then touching their mouth or nose. Babies and children are at greater risk of exposure because they put their hands in their mouths often.
The colors, scents, and flavorings in the chemicals make them very attractive to toddlers and children. It is very important to keep them out of reach to prevent serious injury or even death.
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine that can lead to addiction. Nicotine can affect the way your child’s brain develops. Nicotine causes the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to go up. This puts a strain on the heart and can increase your child’s risk for heart disease and stroke. The liquid nicotine used to refill some e-cigarettes can cause death if swallowed.
Nicotine during pregnancy can cause problems such as premature delivery or low birth weight.
E-cigarettes do not produce water vapor. E-cigarettes produce more, very fine chemical particles than tobacco cigarettes.
Some people believe that e-cigarettes can help them quit smoking. There is no proof that e-cigarettes help your child quit. The FDA has not approved e-cigarettes as a safe and effective way to quit smoking. E-cigarettes deliver nicotine in a way that can continue the nicotine and smoking addiction. Some experts believe that e-cigarettes are more addictive than other sources of nicotine.
Signs of being addicted to e-cigarettes include:
There are health risks and no benefits for children and teens who use e-cigarettes.
If your child is ready to quit, help your child with these things:
See your healthcare provider for information and help in quitting. For more information, contact: