Oh man, my worst fear has come true. For years, I’ve been telling everyone—my patients, my kids, their friends, parents at school, basically anyone who’d listen—about how dangerous vaping is. And even though a lot of people have been sounding the alarm, it’s like vaping’s risks have been flying under the radar. Now, with 450 cases of lung disease and 7 deaths linked to vaping, it’s finally starting to get some attention, but it’s still not enough if you ask me. Last year, 3.62 million middle and high school students were vaping, and 1 in 5 high schoolers admitted to it. Honestly, I think that number is even higher. Over 90% of the students I see say there’s vaping happening at their schools—like in bathrooms and classrooms—and most parents are completely clueless about it. It’s making me worried that parents aren’t paying enough attention or really understanding how serious this is. We’re talking full-on EPIDEMIC here.
So, what’s the deal with e-cigarettes and how does vaping work? E-cigarettes are basically battery-powered gadgets that heat up a liquid with nicotine, flavors, and other chemicals. This liquid turns into vapor that people inhale—hence the term “vaping.”
Why is this so dangerous? Vaping delivers a huge dose of nicotine, which is super addictive, into the body and the still-developing brain. One vaping pod can have as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes, sometimes even more. It doesn’t take much to get hooked on that nicotine rush, which is why so many teens are getting addicted.
We know that smoking tobacco causes all sorts of cancers, but nicotine itself is no picnic either. It can mess with brain development, memory, concentration, self-control, and mood. Plus, the chemicals and tiny particles in the vapor can damage the lungs, leading to hospitalizations and, sadly, even death.
So, what should parents do? You need to be aware that your child might be exposed to or even trying vaping. It’s crucial to have a serious talk with them about this growing health crisis. Let them know how nicotine and THC can mess with their mood and brain development, and how inhaling these chemicals can seriously damage their lungs or worse. Also, check their rooms and backpacks, and if you’re worried, you can get a quick nicotine test for their urine.
As both a parent and a pediatrician, I know it’s tough to keep up with all the stuff our kids are into these days. They’re always a step ahead with tech, apps, and now vaping. But we’ve got experience and authority on our side, so let’s use it. Trust your instincts, don’t shy away from confronting the issue, and make sure you’re on top of this vaping crisis.
