Resources – E-cigarettes – Good or Bad?

Female's hand holding electronic cigarette over white background and cloud of steam.

Websites

Health Canada

Severe lung illness related to vaping

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Updates on the Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Lung Illnesses Associated with Use of Vaping Products

Infographics

Seeing Through The Vapour

An infographic saying "Seeing through the vapour, E-cigarettes are not what they are made out to be. One big snake trap: Companies know its bad. JUUL has admitted vaping is "just another drug" and have officially dropped its "Make the Switch" slogan. The bar for being "safer than cigarettes" - the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. - is barely a standard. Targeting of youth and downplaying nicotine vaping's health consequences. Companies have PUBLICLY admitted they SUPPORT recent bans on sales. What makes vaping so bad: Over 1 million tainted pods have been sold to customers and retailers. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, particularly for those under the age of 25. One JUUL pods contains the concentration of nicotine comparable to an ENTIRE pack of cigarettes. Youth admitted to hospital for vaping have had lungs of a 70 year old, and their life spans have been cut in half. Use and death statistics: 2290 cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported to CDC from 49 US states as of November 20th, 2019. 47 confirmed deaths in the US alone. Mystery ingredients: Medical professionals still do not know exactly how these are killing our health youth. E-cigarettes of any kind are not safe for anyone, but particularly dangerous for youth, young adults, pregnant women. The centre for disease control (CDC) advises everyone to stop using ANY type of e-cigarette, or vaping, products, particularly those containing THC.

Infographic created by University of Guelph medical toxicology students.

Never Sell E-Cigarettes to Minors

An infographic saying "Never sell e-cigarettes to minors. Nicotine is extremely addictive. People under 25 can learn new skills faster than older adults. Since addiction is a form of learning, kids will become addicted to nicotine in their vapes much quicker than adults. Tobacco products are not available for sale at this place. Tobacco products were sold to minors at this place. It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to minors. In Ontario, it is against the law to sell e-cigarettes, or refill juice and pods, to anyone under the age of 19. Repeat offenders can be prohibited from selling the products for up to 1 year. E-cigarettes are hurting young people. As of November 20, 2019, the CDC has reported 2,290 cases of vape-related lung injury in the U.S. (exluding Alaska). 15% of all lung - related injuries in the U.S. have involved people under the age of 18. I.D. anyone who you suspect is 25 or younger. Look out for people using fake I.D.'s, or people who are buying for their underage friends/ siblings. Watch to see if they check their phone right before choosing an item, they could be buying for somebody else. As of January 1. 2020, it will be illegal to promote e-cigarette products anywhere outside of a licensed vape shop or cannabis retailer. This means it will be prohibited in convenience stores and gas stations. "

Infographic created by University of Guelph medical toxicology students.

SAMHSA Tips for Teens:

An infographic saying "Tips for Teens: e-cigarettes, the truth about e-cigarettes. Slang: e-cigs/ e-hookahs/ vape pens/ vapes/ tank systems/ mods get the facts. E-cigarettes are a way to inhale nicotine and marijuana. the aerosol emitted can also contain other harmful substances, including heavy metals such as lead, volatile organic compounds, and cancer-causing agents. E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes. Some resemble pens, USB sticks, and other everyday items. Larger devices such as tank systems, or mods, do not resemble other tobacco products. E-cigarettes use harms the developing brain. E-cigarettes typically deliver nicotine, a harmful drug to the youth brain and body. Teens are particularly vulnerable to the effects of nicotine since the brain is still developing during these years and through young adulthood. People who use marijuana in an e-cigarette may experience the same side effects as they would if they smoked marijuana - all of which can be heightened if the person uses marijuana with another substance, such as alcohol. Q&A: Q. Aren't e-cigarettes safer than smoking cigarettes or using smokeless tobacco? A. Regular cigarettes are extraordinary dangerous, killing half of all people who smoke long term. However, youth use of tobacco products in any form is unsafe, including e-cigarettes. More research is needed to fully understand their impact on health. Q. Can't e-cigarettes help me quit smoking regular cigarettes? A. E-cigarettes may help non-pregnant adult smokers if used as a complete substitute for all cigarettes. However, there is no conclusive evidence that using e-cigarettes help someone quit smoking for good. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved seven "quit ads" for quitting smoking, but e-cigarettes are not currently one of them. Q. Aren't e-cigarettes used more often by adults, not youth? A. Youth are more likely than adults to use e-cigarettes. In 2018, more than 3.6 million U.S. middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, including 4.9 percent of middle school students and 20.8 percent of high school students. The bottom line: E-cigarettes are unsafe for young people. Whether a young person uses nicotine or marijuana in an e-cigarette, there can be dangerous health consequences. Learn more: Get the latest information on how drugs affect the brain and body at teens.drugabuse.gov. To learn more about e-cigarettes, contact: Samhsa 1-877-SAMHSA-7(1-877-726-4727) (English and Espanol) TTY 1-800-487-4889. www.samhsa.gov, store.samhsa.goc. SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration" — Infographic retrieved from SAMHSA