LISD Guidance and Counseling
E-cigarettes
What is an e-cigarette?
Some teens are also "dripping" with e-cigarettes. This is dropping e-cigarette liquid (called an "oil") directly onto the hot coils of the device to produce thicker, more flavorful smoke. "Dripping," which differs from normal e-cigarette use that slowly releases the liquid from a wick onto a hot atomizer, may expose users to higher levels of nicotine and to harmful non-nicotine toxins, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde — known carcinogens. These oils can also contain THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
Besides nicotine, e-cigarettes can contain harmful ingredients including:
- ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deeply into the lungs
- flavorants such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease
- volatile organic compounds
- heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.
Answer their questions
- Why don’t you want me to use e-cigarettes? Your brain is still developing. That can mean you are vulnerable to addiction. Nicotine effects memory and concentration. They contain chemicals that are harmful to your lungs.
- What is the big deal about nicotine? Since your brain is still developing, it affects many areas. You could notice that it is hard to concentrate, learn or control your behaviors. It may even "train your brain" to be open to more addicting chemicals such as meth or cocaine.
- But aren't e-cigarettes safer than regular cigarettes? No, because they still contain the nicotine that is harmful to your brain development. It doesn't matter where the nicotine comes from, it is harmful.
- I thought e-cigarettes didn’t have nicotine – just water and flavoring? I used to think that too. But many e-cigarettes have nicotine. There are also other chemicals in them that can be harmful. Let’s look at the Surgeon General’s website on e-cigarettes (E-cigarettes.SurgeonGeneral.gov) together so you can see for yourself.
- I (or my friends) have tried e-cigarettes and it was no big deal. I appreciate your honesty. In the future, I hope you (or your friends) will stay away from e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, including cigarettes. Science shows that e-cigarettes contain ingredients that are addictive and could harm different parts of your body. Next time we go to the doctor, let’s ask about the risks of nicotine, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products.
- You used tobacco, so why shouldn’t I? If I could live my life over again, I never would have started smoking. I learned that people who smoke cigarettes are much more likely to develop, and die from, certain diseases than people who don’t smoke. This was really scary, so I quit smoking. Quitting was really hard, and I don’t want you to go through that. The best thing is to not start at all.
Start the conversation
We know it can be difficult to start the conversations with your child about substance abuse. Having these conversations could be your best defense to safeguard them against drug use.
- There may not be a "perfect" moment. It’s OK for your conversation to take place over time, in bits and pieces.
- Focus on the conversation, not confrontation.
- Share your family values on drugs and alcohol.
- Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know, let's research and find out together."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). E-cigarettes. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). E-cigarettes. Retrieved from
https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipsheet_508.pdf