What's the bottom line?

E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women or adults who do not currently use tobacco products:

• Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s.
• Nicotine is toxic to developing fetuses.
• Nicotine is a health danger for pregnant women and their developing babies.
• Young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to use other tobacco products, including cigarettes.
  

E-cigarette aerosol is NOT harmless “water vapor.” It can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including nicotine and ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs; flavoring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds; cancer-causing chemicals and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.

What can I do to prevent my child or teen from using e-cigarettes (or help them stop)?

Parents and caregivers can influence a child's or teen's decision about whether to use e-cigarettes or other tobacco products.

• Set a good example by being tobacco-free. If you use tobacco and need free help quitting, visit smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
• Talk to your child or teen about why e-cigarettes are harmful for them.
• Set up an appointment with your child’s or teen's health care provider so that they can talk to a medical professional about the health risks of e-cigarettes.
• Speak with your child’s or teen's teacher and school administrator about enforcement of tobacco-free school grounds policies and tobacco prevention curriculum.
• Encourage your child or teen to learn the facts and get tips for quitting tobacco products by visiting the Surgeon Generals e-cigarette website.

Need help starting the conversation? Use the CDC's tip sheet to talk to your child or teen about the potential health risks of e-cigarettes:

• Tip sheet for parents
• Tip sheet for parents (Espanol)

Help Teens Stop Using E-cigarettes:

• Catch my Breath – e-cigarette prevention program specific to grades 5-12. CATCH My Breath is a best-practices youth E-cigarette prevention program. CATCH My Breath utilizes a peer-led teaching approach and meets National and State Health Education Standards. 

• INDEPTH™ - American Lung Association's convenient alternative to suspension or citation that helps schools and communities address the teen vaping problem in a more supportive way. INDEPTH™ is an interactive program that teaches students about nicotine dependence, establishing healthy alternatives and how to kick the unhealthy addiction that got them in trouble in the first place. 

• My Life MY Quit – Helps teens quit vaping through text messaging and phone counseling, sponsored by National Jewish Health. Coaching helps teens develop a quit plan, identify triggers, practice refusal skills and receive ongoing support for changing behaviors. Self-help and educational materials designed for teens, with input from teens.
  

• SmokeFree Teen - Smokefree Teen is part of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Smokefree.gov Initiative. The goal of Smokefree Teen is to reduce the number of youth who use tobacco.

• Smoke Free text – part of SmokeFreeTeen

• QuitStart App -  from SmokeFree Teen

• This is Quitting App – TRUTH initiative's app to help teens quit vaping and tobacco use.

Information for Students, Parents and Educators

E-cigarettes and Youth Toolkit for Partners – digital toolkit that provides information and resources to take action

Know the Risks: A Youth Guide to E-cigarettes – online presentation, intended for adults who educate or serve youth, ages 11 – 18 (teachers, youth ministers, coaches, counselors, scout leaders, etc.).

Free Materials to Help Teens Quit Vaping

• MyLife MyQuit posters
• "It's not like you can buy a new brain" poster
• Teen Vaping Materials Order Form

For additional information, please contact the Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control at 717-787-6600.