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Vaping

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What is Vaping?

Vaping involves inhaling an aerosol (often called vapor) from an electronic device like a vape pen or e-cigarette. Many vaping products contain nicotine, while others may contain THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) or other chemicals.

Some vaping products are flavored and marketed to look harmless, but most nicotine vapes are highly addictive. In Massachusetts, vaping products that contain nicotine are illegal for people under 21.

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Myths vs Facts

Myth: "It's just flavored water vapor."
Myth: "It's safer than smoking so it's fine."
Myth: "I can stop any time."
Myth: "Everyone vapes."
Fact: "Most vaping products contain nicotine and other chemicals that affect your lungs and brain."
Fact: "While vaping may differ from traditional cigarettes, it still carries risks, especially for teens."
Fact: "Nicotine is highly addictive, and many teens find it harder to quit than they expected."
Fact: "Many teens choose not to vape, even if it feels common in certain groups."
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Vaping Effects

Vaping and the Brain

Nicotine can change how these brain systems develop. Teens are more likely than adults to become addicted quickly, sometimes without realizing it
  • During adolescence, the brain is still building connections related to:
    • Attention and focus
    • Learning and memory
    • Emotional control
    • Decision-making​
  • Nicotine can also make the brain more sensitive to other substances later on.

Short vs Long Term Effects of Vaping

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Effects of Vaping on Mental Health

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  • Some teens vape to manage stress, anxiety, or boredom. While nicotine may temporarily change how you feel, it can actually:
    • Increase anxiety over time
    • Make stress feel worse between uses
    • Disrupt sleep
    • Increase irritability​
Because nicotine affects the brain’s reward system, it can create a cycle where stress leads to vaping, and vaping leads to more stress.

Consequences of Vaping

In February 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 2,807 cases of e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and 68 deaths attributed to that condition.
 
The CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern among people with EVALI. Vitamin E acetate is a thickening agent often used in THC vaping products, and it was found in all lung fluid samples of EVALI patients examined by the CDC.

Student Voices

Getting Help

Warning Signs of a Vaping Problem

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  • You might be concerned if you notice:
    • Feeling anxious or irritable without vaping
    • Strong cravings throughout the day
    • Sneaking or hiding vaping
    • Trouble focusing without nicotine
    • Spending money you don’t have on vape products
    • Trying to quit but struggling to stop
  • If this sounds familiar, you are not alone, nicotine addiction can happen quickly, especially in teens.

Trying to Quit? 

Check out 
 

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Sign up with the form below or text QUIT to 47848. After you confirm your enrollment, you will receive daily text messages to support you in quitting smoking from the short code 47848.

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