Updated: November 2019
According to the Center’s for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual National Tobacco Survey, 27.5 percent of high school students reported using an e-cigarette within the last 30 days, up from 20.8 percent in 2018.
Originally designed to help people quit smoking cigarettes, e-cigs have turned into a national infatuation among teens and young adults. While vaporized liquid has been found by researchers to be less harmful to lungs than smoking traditional cigarettes, researchers and experts have found that vaping has a host of damaging side effects.
Aside from the documented side effects associated with vaping, the vape devices are compatible with Marijuana making substance abuse easier and more discreet for teens and young adults. (Although studies have determined that 75% of users use e-cigarettes primarily with traditional nicotine products.) Plus, due to the discreetness of many vaping devices, teens are finding it exceptionally easy to hide their vaping habits.
What is most concerning, however, is the explosive popularity of the JUUL. Introduced by PAX Labs in 2015 as a smoking alternative for adults, JUUL is a brand-name e-cigarette that has outpaced its competition due to its sleek, highly discreet shape that closely resembles a USB flash drive. Small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, each JUUL pod packs in as much nicotine as one pack of cigarettes Image: Juul, The Vape Device Teens are Getting Hooked On.
If you’re concerned that your child may be vaping, here are 9 signs you should be on the lookout for:
Unexplained Sweet Scent
Although the vapor produced by e-cigarettes can be either odorless or scented, given the choice, most teenagers will choose the scented (or flavored) vapor. The e-liquid, also known as e-juice, available on the market for e-cigarettes comes in a variety of enticing flavors such as Gummi Bear, Berry Lush, Frozen Lime Drop, and Watermelon Wave that all too many teens are eager to try. If you notice a sweet scent that is unexplainable, it might require further investigation on your part.
Pens and USB Drives that Don’t Look Normal
E-cigs come in many forms. They can resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. However, the most common e-cigs among teens are JUULs – sleek devices that resemble a USB flash drive – and vape pens that resemble traditional pens.
If you come across an unusual looking pen or USB drive, often with holes on each end, chances are it’s a vaping device and not a typical pen or USB drive.
Skipping the Caffeine
Some e-cig users suddenly find themselves developing sensitivity to caffeine. If your teen used to be hitting Starbucks regularly or chugging Red Bulls and is now suddenly passing on their favorite caffeinated drinks, this could be a red flag.
Increased Thirst
Dehydration, often described by vapers as dry or cotton mouth, is actually a fairly common side effect of vaping. Propylene Glycol, one of the ingredients in e-liquid, is the primary cause of the dehydration. The substance has been shown to absorb and hold in water molecules, preventing them from being absorbed into the body. Therefore, if you notice your teen drinking more than they typically do or you happen to notice other signs of dehydration such as dark circles under their eyes, you may want to dive a little deeper to determine the cause.
Nosebleeds
Typically, when a person vapes they exhale the vapor through their nose which can cause the inside of their nostrils to become dried triggering random nosebleeds. The chemical in the e-liquid, Propylene Glycol, is a dehydrating chemical that strips the moisture from the inside of the nose. Therefore, if your child is suddenly experiencing nosebleeds, it probably deserves more attention to determine the cause.
Bloody Sores in the Mouth / Smoker’s Cough
According to an article in Science News for Students, entitled “Concerns Explode Over New Health Risks of Vaping,” researchers are now linking e-cigs with mouth wounds that won’t heal and smoker’s cough. The vapors disrupt the immune system which can have harsh effects on human cells. Keep your eye on your child if they complain of sores in their mouth or begin to show signs of an unexplained cough. It could be a sign that your child is vaping.
Unfamiliar Batteries and Chargers
While some vape pens can be charged with a simple USB cable, most require batteries. And, since an e-cig vape pen battery typically only lasts two hours with constant use, the battery needs to be charged regularly. If you find an unfamiliar battery or battery charging device, this could serve as another red flag that your child may be vaping.
Finding Organic Cotton Balls and Metallic Wires
If you stumble across any unbleached, organic cotton balls or thin metallic coils, which are components used when vaping, it’s typically a dead giveaway that your child is vaping.
Discarded Juul Pods
According to the Public Health Law Center, as of March 2018, JUULs represented nearly 55% of the e-cigarette retail market share and much of that growth is a result of teen use. While most teens consider JUULs “cool,” rising concern over their high nicotine content has many parents extremely concerned.
To use a JUUL, users purchase JUUL “pods.” As the name suggests, the pod systems are e-cigs that make use of a pod as opposed to a traditional atomizer, although they pretty much serve the same function. If you happen to see discarded JUUL pods in your child’s backpack, bedroom, pockets or elsewhere, there’s reason for concern.
Discarded Atomizers
The atomizer is an important part of any e-cig. It’s the component of the e-cig that turns the e-liquid into vapor. The atomizers don’t last forever and eventually need to be discarded. If you come across a discarded atomizer in your child’s room, it can be a good indication that your child has been vaping.