Health Risks of Teen Vaping
The increased use of vaping – or the use of electronic cigarettes to inhale certain vapors which could contain substances like nicotine, marijuana, or flavoring – is a troubling trend that has continued to emerge among teenagers across the country. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), teen reports of recent vaping of nicotine nearly doubled among high school seniors in the last year.
The issue has rightly garnered national attention, so much so that Surgeon General Jerome Adams recently issued a public health advisory on teen vaping. This is only the fourth advisory from the office of the Surgeon General in 13 years and the second issued by Adams following an advisory in April on naloxone and opioid overdoses. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has also declared teen e-cigarette use as reaching "epidemic" levels. The FDA has taken regulatory action against JUUL, the market leader of e-cigarettes, including cracking down on flavored vapor sales and marketing to kids. Amidst the growing scrutiny and concern over the alarming rates of e-cigarette use among youths, these are positive steps in the right direction.
Proponents of vaping argue that it is one method in helping smokers transition away from cancer-causing tobacco. Unfortunately, however, vaping has far outgrown the population of those who previously smoked and is now snaring numerous children into an addictive habit that threatens their health. Vaping has introduced nicotine into the lives of millions of children who otherwise may have remained free from its harmful effects. Nicotine can significantly harm the developing brain and can affect memory, learning and serve as a catalyst for addiction to other substances.
While society has made progress in lowering the rate of cigarette smoking, which is no small victory, we must continue to make aggressive efforts in reducing the use of all products containing nicotine.
While e-cigarettes and vaping may be safer than cigarette smoking with respect to cancer risk, recent studies show that they put users at high risk of lung disease. The nicotine-infused liquids hamstring the immune system's ability to clear the lungs and prevent the accumulation of harmful chemicals. This weakening of the lungs can certainly lead to higher incidences of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which will ultimately harm the length and quality of users' lives.
At a meeting convened by Ascension this fall, the Surgeon General highlighted the importance of population health strategies to improve the health and wellness of communities. Among youth and young adults, we can work to prevent teens from ever adopting harmful habits like vaping and help them quit the use of e-cigarettes and eliminate exposure to vaping if they have already begun.
As the Surgeon General makes clear, parents and teachers should educate themselves about e-cigarettes and discuss the dangers of vaping with their children. Health professionals should ask about the use of these devices when screening patients for tobacco use. Additionally, localities can explore regulations to protect their teens, including banning the sale of flavored tobacco products.
I applaud the Surgeon General for reminding us that as healthcare providers, educators and family members, it is up to us to educate and protect our children from the vaping products that expose our young generation to nicotine.
Anthony R. Tersigni, EdD, FACHE, is president and CEO of St. Louis-based Ascension, a leading Catholic healthcare system.
