Vaping on the Rise in Teens and Middle Schoolers 

In case you didn’t know, vaping is all the rage in the U.S., especially with teens. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both have issued warnings about vaping among children and teens. 3 million middle and high schoolers had used e-cigarettes in 2015 and the numbers are increasing.

Vaping is inhaling vapor through the mouth from a usually battery-operated electronic device (such as an electronic cigarette) that heats up and vaporizes a liquid or solid, usually accompanied by some flavoring. These devices can blow up! Popular among teens are flavorings that taste like menthol, alcohol, candy, fruit, chocolate, or other sweets. With names like Gummi Bear, Berry Lush, Frozen Lime Drop and Watermelon Wave, it’s easy to see why kids are intrigued. Also intriguing to kids are tricks they can do with the vapor, such as “Dragon,” “The Waterfall,” “Vapor Bubble,” and “The Tornado.” YouTube offers plenty of how-to videos on performing these.  Harvard University found ‘diacetyl’ in the flavoring which can cause respiratory disease known as “popcorn lung” which started when workers inhaled artificial butter flavor microwave popcorn. Vaping is harmful yet more research is needed to really learn how much harm vaping is to your health. They may not be burning carcinogens but still are delivering nicotine to the body. Some users eventually turn to cigarettes.
  
Devices for vaping go by names like “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” “Juuls” and come in many forms. They can resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars, pipes and even normal everyday items including pens and, gaining in popularity due to its discreteness, USB memory sticks (Juuls). 

Vaping is relatively affordable. A vape starter kit can be bought online for under $30. While many kids believe vaping to be much safer than smoking cigarettes, the AAP notes that the aerosol emitted from e-cigarettes is not harmless: it contains a variety of toxic chemicals, including some carcinogens and significant amounts of nicotine. Also troubling is that E-cigarettes can also be used to deliver other drugs besides nicotine, such as marijuana. 

Please talk with your kids about the dangers of e-cigarettes. Tell them about the harm that nicotine (in any form) can do to their growing brain and lungs and that you want them not to use any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, now or in the future. If you smoke, use tobacco or vape, you can discuss with them your own struggles with nicotine addiction, struggles you want them to avoid. The more you know, the more you can help your kids live a healthy and tobacco free life! 

Wise Words: 

“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times.” – Mark Twain 

“Flavored e-cigarettes are very popular, especially with young adults. More than 9 of every 10 young adult e-cigarette users said they use e-cigarettes flavored to taste like menthol, alcohol, candy, fruit, chocolate, or other sweets. More than 8 of every 10 youth ages 12-17 who use e-cigarettes said they use flavored e-cigarettes.” – The Center for Disease Control 

"Tobacco use continues to be a major health threat to children, adolescents and adults. The developing brains of children and teens are particularly vulnerable to nicotine, which is why the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among adolescents is so alarming and dangerous to their long-term health." – Karen M. Wilson, MD, MPH, FAAP, chair of the AAP Section on Tobacco Control and section head of Pediatric Hospital Medicine at Children's Hospital Colorado.

Wellsville Rockin’ Recipe – Groovy Pepper and Tomato Salad

• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch strips 
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1 inch strips 
• 3 tomatoes, diced 
• 1 small onion, chopped 
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped or minced 
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice 
• 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar 
• 1 Tbsp olive oil 

Directions: 

1. Combine peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic in a bowl 
2. Pour lemon juice and vinegar over pepper mixture 
3. Drizzle olive oil 
4. Toss with tongs to mix and serve 

Servings: 4 

Nutrition Information 

• Calories: 105 
• Fat: 3.5 grams 
• Protein: 2 grams 
• Fiber: 3 grams 

Check out more recipes on our website...

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