Fact: The adolescent brain is more vulnerable to addiction. Teens and tweens are at a higher addiction risk than adults because the brain continues to develop through a person’s mid- twenties. Exposure to nicotine as a teen can cause short- and long-term effects on attention, learning, and memory that promote nicotine addiction.
Fact: E-cigarettes are full of chemicals. Vaping devices contain a liquid mix of chemicals, some of which are harmful. Most brands, including Juul, include nicotine, a highly addictive chemical. Teens are especially vulnerable to becoming addicted to nicotine because their brains are still developing.
Fact: Vaping devices contain harmful chemicals. Potentially harmful chemicals that can be found in aerosols from vaping devices include metals like lead, chromium, and nickel. E-cigarette aerosols may also contain cancer-causing chemicals, such as formaldehyde—the same substance used in funeral homes to preserve bodies.
Fact: Vaping products are addictive. Research shows that people whose first tobacco product was flavored are more likely to become regular tobacco users. Because of an increasing number of kids using flavored products, the FDA continues to crack down on illegal sales to minors and hold retailers and manufacturers accountable for marketing practices.
Fact: Vaping products have been linked to deaths. In 2019, serious lung illnesses broke out across the U.S. Thousands of people, including many teens and young adults, got sick after using vaping products, including e-cigarettes. Some ended up with permanent lung damage, and multiple people have died. Federal agencies continue to investigate the cause or causes.
Fact: Vapes may contain high levels of nicotine. People who vape may not realize how much nicotine they are exposed to. A Juul pod contains as much nicotine as a whole pack of tobacco cigarettes.
Fact: Vaping may lead to cigarette use. Teens who vape are more likely to start smoking tobacco cigarettes than those who don’t. One reason may be that they’ve become addicted to nicotine.
Fact: Vaping can harm your lungs. When a person puffs an e-cigarette, it causes a battery to heat the liquid in the device. The heat releases the chemicals in the liquid, turning it into a vapor-like aerosol that the person breathes in. Breathing in this aerosol exposes your lungs to a chemical mixture that may cause lung injury.