Dana Cavallo, Ph.D and Research Assistant Alissa Goldberg from Yale University spoke to Ellington parents and community members Friday evening, May 4th. The purpose of the evening was to help parents gain more information about e-cigarettes. Many parents said they felt more knowledgeable from the presentation. The speakers also brought several e-cigarette samples so parents could see close up what they looked like. The evening was a great success.
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The modern history of vaping has its origins in ancient times. The first who came up with the idea of an e-cigarette was Joseph Robinson in 1927, however, it was in 1963 when Herbert Gilbert and his “smokeless non-tobacco cigarette” made vaping popular. The Chinese firm Hon Lik made the first modern e-cig in the mid-2000s.
The first generation e-cigarettes looked like a cigarette and were disposable. The end of it had a light that glowed so it appeared like the person was smoking an actual cigarette. The second generation e-cigs were battery operated and the user had to press a button to puff on it. Third generation e-cigarettes no longer resembled a cigarette at all and were digital and battery operated. The most recent e-cigarette that has grown immensely in popularity is the Juul. This e-cigarette has the highest nicotine content. The small charger resembles a USB stick and the nicotine in it equates to a pack of cigarettes, or 200 puffs. The Juul has been very popular amongst teens because of the ability to conceal it in a sleeve or pocket. Kids call it vaping, Juuling, swishing, blowing smoke, squonking, dripping and vape tricks.
Why do youth use e-cigarettes? Dr. Cavallo reports curiosity, the flavors and because it is “cool” are the main reasons. Seven out of 10 middle school students who currently vape use the flavors. There are over 7,000 flavors! Currently these flavors are NOT regulated by the FDA. They hope this happens in the near future, but more research is needed. That is where Yale comes in. Cavallo leads focus groups of youth who vape as part of her research. Many people who vape like the “throat hit” and “rush” they feel when inhaling. Cavallo reported that e-cigarettes are actually an aerosol and not a vapor.
Vaping 101
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