E-Cigarettes: Know the Health Risks
What's in that cloud? E-cigarette aerosol contains harmful chemicals that can damage the lungs.
Candy-like flavored tobacco products with highly addictive and harmful nicotine mainly appeal to kids and teens.
Vaping aerosols contain harmful chemicals.
Vaping devices are tobacco products and highly addictive.
Vaping and e-cigarette devices can vary by size, shape, and technology.
Looks like candy.
Tastes like candy.
Hooks like tobacco.
E-cigarettes are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “vapes,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).” When people use them, this is often called “vaping.” Some e-cigarettes look like other tobacco products like lit cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, while others can look like everyday household items such as USB computer memory sticks, writing pens, asthma inhalers, mint tins, and clothing.
- E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant people, or anyone who does not currently use tobacco products.
- Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development, which continues into a person’s mid-20s.
- E-cigarettes can contain other harmful substances besides nicotine.
- Young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.
- E-cigarettes are not FDA-approved as safe and effective devices to quit smoking.
- E-cigarettes have the potential to benefit people who smoke if used as a complete substitute for cigarettes and other smoked tobacco products (e.g. cigars, cigarillos, etc.). However, there are safer and more effective ways to quit smoking.
- E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant people, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products.
- E-cigarettes could benefit people who smoke if used as a complete substitute for cigarettes and other smoked tobacco products. However, e-cigarettes are not FDA-approved to help quit smoking, and there are health risks associated with using e-cigarettes. There are safer and more effective ways to quit smoking.
- Scientists still have a lot to learn about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes.
- If you’ve never smoked or used other tobacco products or e-cigarettes, don’t start.
For kids, teens, and young adults, candy-like, sweet, and fruity flavors, as well as mint and menthol flavors, can mask the harsh tastes and effects of tobacco product use. This makes it easier for youth to stomach the otherwise harsh tastes of tobacco while the chemical nicotine quickly gets them hooked on nicotine in tobacco products. This includes combustible or lit tobacco products, vapes, chew or cheeked tobacco, and new emerging products. Learn how to protect youth from tobacco products.
What you should do
- If you don't use e-cigarettes, don't start!
- If you use e-cigarettes, make a plan to quit. Until you quit, prevent poisonings by keeping all e-cigarette parts and liquids locked away so children and pets cannot reach them.
- Learn how to recognize e-cigarettes. Many of them look like everyday objects.
- Support tobacco-free schools. In Rhode Island, it's illegal for anyone to use or possess any tobacco products including e-cigarettes on K-12 school properties, indoor and outdoors.
- Include e-cigarettes and hookah in 100% tobacco-free policies wherever public smoking is banned through public or private policies. Examples include behavioral health facilities, college campuses, recreation areas, parks, beaches, HUD housing, multi-unit housing, workplaces, and congregate settings.
- If you notice a business selling tobacco products to people under 21 years of age, report the violation.
- Work with the Rhode Island Department of Health Tobacco Control Program to encourage healthy tobacco-free living.