Twenty years ago, around 25% of teenagers in the United States smoked cigarettes, according to the National Institutes of Health; in 2024, less than 2% of teens smoked, according to the FDA. But, this bad habit has just been traded in for a new bad habit, vaping. No Vape November, or No Nicotine November, is meant to raise awareness around the issue of youth vaping and encourage young people to consider the benefits of quitting vaping.
According to Truth Initiative, about 8% of high school-age kids in the United States vape; it’s the most commonly used tobacco product among youth. In some states, this number is even higher. In Wisconsin, almost 15% of high school students used electronic cigarettes in 2023. Results from the Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey show that in Green County, about 11% of high school students currently use electronic cigarettes.
Vapes, or electronic cigarettes, are battery-operated devices that heat up a liquid containing nicotine, turning the liquid into an aerosol that is then inhaled. There are several different types of electronic cigarettes in many different sizes and colors. Some are disposable, and some are rechargeable. These products have been on the market since the late 2000s, and have been marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking, which is false. The longer electronic cigarettes have been around, the more we have learned about their harmful effects.
Vaping is especially harmful for teens. Many vaping products contain more nicotine than cigarettes; nicotine is a highly addictive substance, and it can harm brain development. In particular, nicotine can negatively impact the areas of the brain related to attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. Teens can quickly become addicted to nicotine, and while many may think they are not addicted, they often find it difficult to quit when they want to. Additionally, youth who start vaping are more likely to begin smoking regular cigarettes later in life.
The aerosol emitted by vaping devices can contain other potentially harmful substances in addition to nicotine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead may be found in the aerosol. Many electronic cigarettes contain flavors, and these flavorings, such as diacetyl, have been linked to serious lung disease. These flavorings may be safe to eat but not safe to be inhaled into the lungs.
Vaping devices can also lead to unintended injury. Defective vape batteries can overheat and explode, causing a fire and/or injury. When this happens, it is usually while the device is charging.
Quitting vaping and smoking can be extremely difficult because of how addictive nicotine is. Many people experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit nicotine in any form. Symptoms of withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable, including irritability, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, strong cravings, and others, depending on the person.
Help is available to help people quit vaping and smoking. The Wisconsin Tobacco Quitline is available for any state resident 13 years of age and older by calling 800-QUIT-NOW or texting “READY” to 34191. People can also use the This is Quitting Text Line by texting “DITCHVAPE” to 88709.
The Green County Human Services Department offers the Teen Intervene program for teens who may need more support to quit vaping. In this program, high school students work with the Green County Behavioral Health Navigator to set goals, learn about substance use, and get tools to help them quit vaping. Parents and schools can refer students to this program by contacting the Behavioral Health Navigator at (608) 328-9396.
Green County Public Health is dedicated to preventing youth from starting vaping so they never need to try to quit. Our department works with local schools to provide education to students on the health impacts of vaping. In 2023, our department provided five presentations to almost 300 students across Green County, and in 2024 so far, we have provided five presentations to over 400 students, with more presentations scheduled before the end of the year. Any school in Green County that is interested in having staff from Green County Public Health provide a presentation to their students can contact us at (608) 328-9390.
— Bridget Zimmerman is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bzimmerman@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9509.
