What Is the Real Cost of Vaping for Teens?
The kids are still smoking. In fact, many of them do it, that the FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb made a statement , which says that the use of electronic cigarettes among teenagers has reached “epidemic proportions.” On all parenting forums, terrified mums and dads report vape pens such as the ever-popular Juul in backpacks and underwear drawers, and also charge PS4 devices . And they have no idea what to do.
Maybe teenagers just don’t know that e-cigarettes are bad for them?
This is what the FDA is betting on with its new campaign called Real Value, which aims to educate nearly 10.7 million teens, ages 12-17, who have ever used or are willing to try e-cigarettes. … An estimated 80 percent of young people say they “do not expect a serious risk of harm” from regular e-cigarette use. And even if they think they are bad, they assume they are not that bad, believing that they are usually safer than cigarettes.
The campaign features a video reminiscent of the 80s fried egg ad “This is Your Brain on Drugs”. A sci-fi clip titled “Epidemic Spreads” shows several neatly trimmed children unknowingly attacked by eerie, worm-like veins, which are harmful chemicals that enter their bodies. A female robot’s voice gives a kicker, revealing the source of the epidemic: “This is not a parasite, not a virus, not an infection. This is vaping . “
What the FDA wants teens to know about e-cigarettes:
- Research has shown that vaping can expose users to chemicals such as formaldehyde and acrolein, which are known to cause cancer.
- Nicotine is highly addictive.
- Scientists say it could change the way the brain works over time.
- One chemical in some e-cigarette flavors is an oily flavor called diacetyl, which has been linked to a serious lung condition called bronchiolitis obliterans, also known as pulmonary popcorn .
- Some of the metal particles in the vapor include nickel, tin, and aluminum.
Is this PSA reaching teens? We really don’t know. Shonashi Ferro explained in Popular Science that in some cases, projects such as the famous fried egg ad may actually induce teenagers to try drugs. Children became interested in them, even if they had never shown curiosity before. And as Gizmodo author Rhett Jones notes, this new FDA ad is making vaping look pretty cool . (“Your body literally went viral – and you didn’t even have to poison yourself with the Tide Pod and post your hospitalization on YouTube.”)
Either way, teens will surely see this video or something similar. FDA advertisements will appear on all social media platforms, and posters will be pasted on the walls of school toilets. However, parents of middle and high school students should talk to their teens about vaping. Ask them without threat that they have heard about Juul or other e-cigarettes. Tell them about the dangers of vaping and openly share your concerns. Katie Hurley , a licensed therapist for children and adolescents, writes : “You might say something like, ‘Nicotine is highly addictive and I expect you to stay away from vaping, but I also know it’s very difficult to avoid. and I am here. ” to help you in any way I can. ” Then work with them to replace unhealthy behaviors with positive ones .
There is a real cost to using e-cigarettes. The FDA, educators and parents are still trying to figure out how to get teens to see it – and more importantly, quit smoking.