LAWMAKERS SEEK TO CURB INCREASE IN TEEN VAPING ADDICTION
It ’ s no secret that vaping use by adolescents has increased in recent years . In a 2018 study , the National Institutes of Health said 37 % of 12th graders reported vaping , and the U . S . Surgeon General declared e-cigarette use be an epidemic among young people .
In an effort to curb vaping among schoolaged children , the Texas legislature passed a law which took effect earlier this year requiring any student caught with an e-cigarette be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary alternative education program ( DAEP ).
E-cigarettes are considered by many to be a preferable habit to smoking regular cigarettes , but they can still have a negative impact on a person ’ s health . Almost all vape liquid contains nicotine , which has been shown to be harmful to adolescent brain development . Vaping aerosols also contain chemicals linked to serious lung disease .
If you or someone you know wants to quit vaping , get free help online at smokefree . gov , at 1-800-QUIT-NOW ( 1-800-784-8669 ), or by texting QUIT to 47848 .
Read more about vaping , on the National Institutes of Health website . Find additional resources on vaping addiction on the one-stop location for safety and wellbeing on the MISD website , ‘ This is Our House .’
SIGNS A PERSON IS VAPING
1 . A SWEET SCENT IN THE AIR Before the recent ban , many vaping pods included sweet flavors that were often preferred by teens and may linger in the air after vaping . While these were recently banned to curb teen vaping , your child may still have some of the banned product left or maybe you recall a sweet smell in your child ’ s room in the past .
2 . UNFAMILIAR PENS AND USB DRIVES While e-cigarettes come in many forms , the most common look like a writing pen or a USB flash drive . e-cigarette devices , however , will have holes on each end .
3 . DRINKING MORE WATER Vaping can cause dehydration or dry mouth , most likely a cause of the ingredient in the e-liquid called propylene glycol . If your teen is drinking more water or has dark circles under their eyes , a symptom of dehydration , you may want to investigate further .
4 . NOSEBLEEDS If you notice that your child is experiencing nosebleeds , vaping may be the culprit . Propylene glycol , one of the chemicals in the e-liquid , is a dehydrating chemical that can reduce moisture inside the nose . When a person vapes , they typically exhale vapor through the nose , causing dryness , which can lead to nosebleeds .
5 . SMOKER ’ S COUGH OR MOUTH SORES Recent research is now linking e-cigarettes to mouth sores that won ’ t heal as well as a smoker ’ s cough . Apparently , the vapors upset the immune system and can have negative effects on human cells .
6 . NEW BATTERIES AND CHARGERS Most vaping devices require rechargeable or batteries that require changing every two hours of use . Some , however , can be charged with a USB cable . Be aware of unfamiliar batteries or battery charging devices .
7 . DISCARDED VAPING PODS AND DEVICES If you find items such as discarded cotton balls , thin metallic oils , pods or atomizers ( the small devices that turn the liquid into vapor ) in your child ’ s backpack or trash , your child is likely vaping .
READY TO QUIT ?
Here are some tips to help you stop using nicotine :
• Know why you ’ re quitting . Ask yourself if nicotine is getting in the way of what matters to you .
• Quit completely . If you use different tobacco products , now is a good time to quit those too .
• Set your quit date .
• Understand your triggers , so you can avoid them .
• Imagine your life without nicotine . Picture the positives of quitting .
• Build a team of people who will support you while you quit .
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