According to a new study, nearly 800,000 U.S. teens aged 15 to 18 vaped for the first time between July 2021 and June 2022. On top of that were the 356,891 young adults (19 to 20 years old) who did the same.
Those figures prove that vaping among teenagers is a quickly growing problem. Indeed, between 2017 and 2019, there was roughly a two-fold increase in U.S. teens who said they vaped nicotine.
But why is vaping bad for teens anyway? Are there any laws surrounding this problem?
We’ll answer those questions in the guide below, so keep reading.
Why Is Vaping Bad for Teens?
One of the most significant dangers of vaping among teens is that it can lead to addiction. That’s because most vape products contain nicotine, a highly-addictive chemical. It’s addictive because it triggers the release of dopamine, a feel-good hormone.
Unfortunately, once nicotine addiction occurs, it’s incredibly challenging to eliminate. One reason is that withdrawal causes symptoms like anxiety, craving, depression, and irritability. It can also lead to attention and cognitive deficits and sleep problems.
Those symptoms can occur just a few hours after the last nicotine exposure. All that drives people with a nicotine addiction back to its use immediately.
Studies have also found evidence that teen vaping can lead to tobacco smoking. That’s even deadlier than vaping, as smoking tobacco cigarettes cause lung cancer. It’s also the primary culprit behind chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Who Then Should Consider Vaping?
When e-cigarettes first came out, their makers advertised them as a way to quit smoking. Researchers have since then studied these products to find out if they help.
Some studies have compared using e-cigarettes with and without nicotine. Some found a link between using e-cigs with nicotine and higher smoking cessation. A few also found similar or higher quit rates among e-cig users than other smoking cessation aids.
That said, only adults who wish to quit smoking should consider vaping. Anyone who hasn’t smoked or vaped shouldn’t do either.
What Laws Exist to Avert Teen Vaping Dangers?
All 50 U.S. states, plus D.C., now prohibit the sale of e-cigs and vapes to underage people. That means merchants can only sell these products to individuals 21 years or older.
Another is the federal PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking) Act. It requires distributors, such as Paylessdistro.com, Vapor.com, or VapeRanger, to collect and verify all their customers’ business information. Its goal is to ensure wholesalers only supply products to law-abiding vape retailers.
Speaking of e-cig and vape retailers, most are under a legal obligation to carry a license. That applies to retailers in 33 states that now mandate their licensure.
Without the proper permits, vape stores can’t sell their products over the counter. And even if they have a license, they can still only accept orders from individuals of legal age.
Don’t Let Your Teen Keep Vaping
And there you have it, the guide answering your question, “why is vaping bad for teens?” Now you know it increases their risk of nicotine addiction. Moreover, it can prompt them to try smoking traditional combustible tobacco cigarettes.
So if you think your teen vapes, it’s time to intervene and help them quit before they develop an addiction.
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