E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular in recent
years, partly because they’re perceived by many to be harmless to your health,
but nothing could be further from the truth. Unlike traditional cigarettes that
emit an offensive odor, electronic cigarettes are nearly odorless and can be
inhaled in different flavors, like strawberry and vanilla — a large part of
what makes them appealing to kids.
![Vapping]()
Children as young as 11 are becoming addicted to the high
levels of nicotine found in e-cigarettes, but that’s far from being the only
issue linked to the popular product. Many parents are vaping around their
children, unaware of the serious health risks.
A recent
study shows only one in five parents who use e-cigarettes have rules
against vaping in their homes and cars, and parents who smoke and vape at home
are more likely to enforce a smoke-free policy at home, compared to a vape-free
policy. The product is largely misrepresented as being safe — most people think
e-cigarettes emit a water vapor. The truth is, they don’t contain any water at
all.
E-cigarettes contain a sticky substance that gets turned
into an ultrafine aerosol with tiny particles that get inhaled deep into the
lungs. The aerosol contains very high amounts of nicotine, which is quite
obviously not safe for children. Along with nicotine, e-cigarettes contain some
of the most carcinogenic substances known, including tobacco-specific
nitrosamines and toxic
heavy metals that leak from the heating coils.
Children can easily get nicotine into their system from a
parent who is vaping around them, by inhaling the aerosol, ingesting the
nicotine and other toxic compounds or by absorbing it directly through their
skin. Nicotine
can wreak havoc on the body, especially when developing brains and lungs
are exposed to it. Nicotine exposure during adolescence has been linked to an
increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment
later on in life, including attention deficits. Children exposed to nicotine at
home may also respond more dramatically when they vape or use tobacco products
themselves, increasing their chances of addiction.
The bottom line: E-cigarettes are dangerous
for kids of all ages, and parents who vape should follow a strict vape-free
policy for their homes and cars. Better yet, stop vaping altogether.