General Facts About Vaping Risks:
There are a lot of misconceptions about vaping and using e-cigarettes out there. Some frequent misconceptions are:

The vapor in vaping is just water vapor and flavoring.

The aerosol in e-cigarettes can contain harmful chemicals, including:

• Nicotine
• Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
• Volatile organic compounds
• Heavy metals including nickel, tin, and lead

Click here for more information about the risks of breathing in this aerosol.

It is safer than cigarettes

One Juul Pod has the same amount of nicotine as 20 cigarettes.  Studies also show that young people who start using e-cigarettes are more likely to start smoking cigarettes and increase usage of both over time.

The risks of vaping will only affect the person vaping and not the people around them.

Scientists are beginning to study the effects of second-hand exposure to aerosol found in e-cigarette vapor. Children and adults have reported being poisoned by swallowing, breathing, or absorbing e-cigarette liquid through their skin or eyes. Nationally, approximately 50% of calls to poison control centers for e-cigarettes are for kids 5 years of age or younger.

Resources for parents:

• To learn more about vaping’s risk to your or your child’s health, read the surgeon general’s advisory or visit their website.
• Here are frequently asked questions and quick facts from the CDC on vaping risks for kids, teens and young adults.
• Latest outbreak notifications about the lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use or vaping.

Resources for quitting:

For Parents and Teachers:

It can be hard to navigate a conversation about vaping with your teens. Click this link for a guide to help you along the way.

If you or a loved one is thinking about quitting tobacco use, including use of e-cigarette or vape products, the ANTHC Tobacco Prevention program offers free tobacco cessation services to ANTHC employees and patients of the Alaska Native Medical Center. To enroll in the program or for more information, call (907) 729-4343

For adults outside of the Alaska Native Health System, the Alaska Tobacco Quit Line offers tobacco cessation services including one-on-one coaching and nicotine replacement therapy.  To enroll, call 1-800-784-8669 (QUIT NOW) or visit www.alaskaquitline.com.

Resources:

• Steps for teachers and other trusted adults on leading a conversation with a parent whose child has been vaping
•  Steps for talking with youth about e-cigarettes and vaping 

For Youth:

Be strong, be true to yourself, be free. Below are resources to help you begin your journey to being free of a nicotine addiction.

SmokeFree Teen: Text messaging and mobile app designed specifically for teens ages 13-19 years old.

BecomeanEX: Tools for quitting tobacco and nicotine products, including a make-your-own online quit plan, interactive informational guides and a community discussion board.

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