All About Vaping

What Are Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)?

E-cigarettes are also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). These devices are often made to look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. They have 3 parts: a battery, a heating device, and a cartridge or tank. The part that heats up is called a vaporizer.

What is Vaping? To use an e-cigarette, a person inserts a cartridge or fills the tank with a liquid solution. This liquid contains nicotine. It may also contain other chemicals and flavorings. When the e-cigarette is puffed, the vaporizer heats up. It turns the nicotine-containing liquid in the tank or cartridge into an aerosol. Users then breathe in this vapor. The act is called vaping. 

CDC article on how harmful vaping works.

 

What do ENDS look like?

Electronic nicotine delivery systems are commonly known as e-cigarettes but are also known as e- cigs, vape pens, e-hookahs, e-pipes, tanks, mods, vapes, and more. Some are made to look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Larger devices such as tank systems do not resemble other tobacco products. And some resemble pens, USB sticks, and other everyday items.  E-cigarettes can be open or closed systems. Open systems require the user to add an e-liquid. Closed systems use pre-filled cartridges or pods.

Modular vape pens.

Are ENDS dangerous?

Yes. Stop vaping or using e-cigarette products. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends individuals stop using vaping or e-cigarette products. Government and public health officials from states and cities across the U.S. are calling for vaping and e-cigarette restrictions and bans.

The controversy with e-cigarettes and vaping, also known as e-hookahs, vape pens and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), reached a peak in the fall of 2019. At that time, the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, state and local health departments and other clinical and public health organizations announced that they’re investigating a multistate outbreak of lung injuries associated with the products.

Especially troubling was another study showing the popularity of vaping by young people. In the study, more than one in four youths between the ages of 12 and 17 said they used an e-cigarette. Vaping and e-cigarettes are currently more popular than any traditional tobacco product.

At the center of the controversy is the role of flavored vape products. Flavors called bubble gum, cotton candy, banana split, apple pie, watermelon, mint, coffee and cherry are thought to lure young people into trying vaping.

Tools to quit (prevention)

https://teen.smokefree.gov/quit-vaping
https://tobaccofreeflorida.com/

Why is nicotine harmful?

Nicotine is known to be highly addictive and can be harmful to a developing teenage brain

What harmful chemicals can ENDS contain?

  • Propylene glycol
  • Glycerol
  • Nicotine
  • Formaldehyde (known to be cancer causing)
  • Flavorings and other chemicals

What metal particles can be found in ENDS?

  • Aluminum
  • Tin
  • Nickle

What is the difference from a traditional tobacco product?

ENDS have been marketed as a tobacco cessation tool. Electronic tobacco products are not a proven method of tobacco cessation. No form of tobacco is “safe".

Additional Resources

https://tobaccofreeflorida.com/blog/tipsforparents/
https://youtu.be/3pXs2sipKy4 (Why is vaping an epidemic?)
https://youtu.be/htAsfUEoEC4 (Flavored e-cigarettes in plain sight)
http://makesmokinghistory.org/

Sources:

https://therealcost.betobaccofree.hhs.gov/vapes
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html