E-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, remain the most-used tobacco product among youth. In fact, an estimated 1.6 million youth currently vape in the U.S.[1] Millions of vape products are unregulated, highly addicting, and include chemical flavoring.
Learn more about vaping.

Why Do Teens Vape?

Many teens vape because of flavoring, taste, and curiosity. They also vape because they think vaping is less harmful. They do not realize that the nicotine in one vape pod or cartridge is equal to 30 cigarettes, making it extremely addictive. Teens also vape to:

• Deal with stress or anxiety.
• Fit in with others.

Learn how to talk to your teen about the dangers of vaping.

What is in Vapes and Why They are Dangerous?

Contrary to popular belief, it is not just water vapor. In addition to nicotine, vapes contain 31+ chemicals, including cancer-causing chemicals and tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into lungs. Some of these chemicals include:

• Formaldehyde (used to preserve dead animals).
• Hydrogen cyanide (found in pesticides).
• Cadmium (found in batteries).
• Acetone (found in nail polish remover).
• Benzene (found in gasoline).
• Butanoic acid (found in vomit).

Because the teen brain is still developing, vaping presents greater risks. Vaping can harm parts of the brain that control attention, learning, memory, mood, and impulse control.[2]

[1] Park-Lee E, Jamal A, Cowan H, et al. (2024). Notes from the Field: E-Cigarette and Nicotine Pouch Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7335a3.htm?_cid=mm7335a3_w.

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Health Effects of Vaping. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects.html.