According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), vaping may be driving an increase in nicotine use for teens.
In vaping, a battery powered device called an e-cigarette heats a liquid into a vapor that can be inhaled. The vapor may contain nicotine (the addictive drug in tobacco), flavoring, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes can also be used with marijuana, hash oil, or other substances.
Vaping may pose serious and avoidable health risks. Exposure to nicotine during youth can lead to addiction and cause long-term harm to brain development. The vapor can also contain toxins (including ones that cause cancer) and tiny particles that are harmful when breathed in.
Resources
Parents/Adults
Electronic Cigarettes
Basic information about e-cigarettes from CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health.
Brain Development, Teen Behavior and Preventing Drug Use (article from Partnership to End Addiction)
Parent tip sheet for talking to teens about e-cigarettes
Youth
Youth Vaping Prevention & Resources to Quit | Truth Initiativeexternal icon
- This self-led, interactive curriculum provided by the Truth Initiative encourages youth to live vape-free lives.
- Behavioral Cessation Supports for Youth and Young Adults (aap.org)external icon
- This page on the American Academy of Pediatrics site contains a list of behavioral supports that can help youth quit smoking, vaping and/or using other tobacco products.
The Real Cost of Vaping | Scholastic
- These cross-curricular resources from Scholastic and the FDA include lessons and activities to help students learn more about the real cost of vaping.
- Information to help teens who want to quit using e-cigarettes.
Truth Initiative’s This is Quitting Program
- This free mobile program is designed to help young people quit e-cigarettes. Resources are available for teens and young adults as well as parents.
- This cessation program from the American Lung Association is designed to help youth ages 14 to 19 quit e-cigarettes. The program consists of 10 sessions to be delivered in a small group format. A mobile-friendly online version for youth is available at https://notforme.orgexternal icon
Schools
- Model tobacco policies and administrative guidance to support school districts in creating and sustaining 100% tobacco-free school environments by the American Heart Association.
Guide Policy Playbook for E-cigarettes
- This resource provides policy and advocacy tools for communities, public health practitioners, educators, and others to help address youth e-cigarette use.
Businesses/Communities
This resource provides policy and advocacy tools for communities, public health practitioners, educators, and others to help address youth e-cigarette use.
SAMSHA: Reducing Vaping Among Youth and Young Adults
Healthcare Providers
Other Resources
Westbrook Recovery Liaison
Danielle Rideout
Call or Text: 207-303-4009
Email: drideout@westbrook.me.us
211 Maine: Dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211
