Let's Be Vape Free
Vaping & E-Cigarettes
Did You Know?
Source: truthinitiateive.org
Source: truthinitiateive.org
Source: FDA.gov
Source: truthinitiateive.org
Source: cdc.gov
Source: truthinitiateive.org
- Native teenagers have a higher rate of experimenting with and using e-cigarettes in comparison to non-Native teenagers.
- Teens who only smoke e-cigarettes are three times more likely to begin smoking cigarettes in the future than non-smokers who don't smoke e-cigarettes.
- Natives have a higher risk of disease and death due to commercial tobacco use.
- A congressional investigation found that JUUL, a popular e-cigarette manufacturer, targeted at least eight American Indian tribes with price discounts and referral program pitches in an effort to promote its products.
Why Quit?
Protect Your Family
- Over 2.5 million nonsmokers have died from health issues caused by secondhand smoke exposure since 1964. While e-cigarettes contains fewer harmful chemicals than regular cigarettes, they still contain harmful substances that put children and adults at risk.
Save Money
- On average, disposable e-cigarettes cost users $20 per week. Reusable e-cigerettes cost an average of $30 per week.
- E-cigarette users spend over $2,000 more on healthcare per year than nonsmokers. E-cigarette users also spend more in healthcare than those who use other forms of commercial tobacco.
Set a Good Example For the Youth
- Teens are more likely to vape if their family members are also vaping.
- 2 out of 3 middle school and high school students that used e-cigarettes reported that they wanted to quit.
Frequently Asked Questions
E-cigarettes are short for electronic cigarettes, but they are also called “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” “tank systems,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).” They consist of a battery, a heating element, and a liquid containing nicotine, marijuana, or another drug. E-cigarettes heat the liquid into an aerosol that is inhaled by the user in a similar manner to smoking cigarettes. While some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, many look like pens, USBs, makeup compacts, watches, small toys, and other everyday objects.
E-cigarette aerosol contains many harmful and potentially harmful substances, which may include:
- Nicotine, marijuana, or other drugs, such as meth or fentanyl
- Flavorings like pulegone and diacetyl, which can cause cancer and severe lung disease respectively
- Formaldehyde, acrolein, and acetaldehyde, which are also found in cigarette smoke and can cause lung damage, cancer, and cardiovascular disease
- Toxic metal particles such as nickel, lead, and chromium, which can be inhaled into the lungs
- Additional toxic chemicals such as acrylonitrile, propylene oxide, and crotonaldehyde
- Vitamin E, which can lead to severe lung tissue damage when vaped
- Ethanol, which has unknown health effects
While e-cigarette aerosol has fewer chemicals than cigarette smoke, it is still harmful. You don’t have to smoke or vape to be negatively affected by secondhand smoke, and no amount of smoke or aerosol is safe.
Research into the health effects of e-cigarettes are limited as e-cigarettes are relatively new. However, there are known negative health effects from e-cigarettes.
- Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, disrupt brain development in teens and young adults, and present a health danger to pregnant women and developing fetuses.
- E-cigarette aerosol contains harmful substances that can cause lung damage.
- E-cigarette batteries can cause fires and explosions that can cause serious injury.
- E-cigarette liquid containing nicotine is toxic and can poison individuals who swallow, breathe, or absorb the liquid through skin or eyes.
- Newer e-cigarettes, especially disposable e-cigarettes, can deliver aerosol more effectively and with increased potency. This can increase dependency when using nicotine and could potentially increase the risk of an overdose when using illicit drugs.
From the 2020 Surgeon General’s Report:
“There is presently inadequate evidence to conclude that e-cigarettes, in general, increase smoking cessation.”
The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line website offers an American Indian Program to address commercial tobacco use. This program was made in collaboration with the American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF). Both Native and non-Native coaches are available to individuals up to 7 times per year, and the program offers up to 12 weeks of free medication to help quit nicotine use. Interested individuals can reach out through the website or by calling or texting 888-7AI-QUIT (1-888-724-7848).
National resources include calling the free and confidential 1-800-QUIT-NOW Quitline, texting QUITNOW to 333888 (data rates may apply), or downloading the quitSTART app.
Check back later for more information.