Vaping 2.0: Navigating the Dangers vs. Cool Factor

Over the past few weeks during Middle School Assembly, Head of Physical and Health Education Mr. Pete Milonas, joined by his colleague Ms. Geneva Winterink, presented the myths and potential health hazards associated with teenage vaping to our Grade 7 & 8 students.
 
Initially developed to help adults stop smoking, e-cigarettes and vaporisers like Juuls, the less clunky device often resembling a USB stick, are known to be highly addictive and have found their way into the hands of teens experimenting with nicotine for the first time.
While many believe vaping is less addictive and harmful than smoking, there can be the same amount of nicotine in one e-cigarette that can be found in a pack of cigarettes. That is why so many teens are discovering “love at first puff” after experiencing their first Juul and subsequent vape cloud as described in The New York Times story, “The Price of Cool: A Teenager, a Juul and Nicotine Addiction.”
 
Mr. Milonas and Ms. Winterink went on to share a few myths & facts about vaping, some of which are outlined below along with information Ms. Taylor (Middle School Guidance Counselor) received from a recent vaping webinar she took part in.
  • Vaping does not actually stop the nicotine addiction. Vaping is simply trading one addiction (smoking cigarettes) for another addiction (vaping).
  • Vaping could be more harmful than smoking due to the number of chemicals being inhaled into the lungs.
  • We are still in the early days, but there is already data outlining that vaping (with or without nicotine) is more dangerous than it was originally presented a
  • It is not vapor - it is an aerosol. The aerosol is what is doing the damage and is certainly not just water vapor. There are harmful toxins and chemicals in the water that are being inhaled to the lungs and create specific lung damage.
  • Heroin was originally introduced as and advertised as a non-addictive cough syrup. Caution tells us we should look carefully as to how vaping will turn out in the long run and the lasting effects it could have. 
To put things in perspective, Ms. Winterink mentioned that humans have been smoking for 7,000 years, but only recently discovered how bad it is for our health. Meanwhile, vaping has not even been around for 20 years, yet Health Canada is already warning Canadians of the risks of pulmonary illness after recent deaths.

Our Middle School students will continue the vaping conversation in their health classes and are encouraged to reach out to their health teacher, guidance counsellor, parents or another trusted adult if they have questions surrounding vaping, or require support in stopping the habit.

The vaping webinar Ms. Taylor participated in earlier this month focused on the effects vaping has on teenagers and provided valuable insights for families on how to best support their children if they suspect they may be vaping or are curious about vaping.
 
The following are seven simple steps for families and role models to follow:
  1. Practice good role modeling for your children. Model that you don’t use vape yourself.  “Do as I do” vs. “Do as I say”
  2. Set your expectations (very clear) and explain why
  3. Stay engaged with your children and know how your children spend their time, where they spend their time, and who they spend their time with. 
  4. Ask open ended questions. “What are some consequences of doing this?”
  5. Be supportive, listen, and empathize
  6. Encourage healthy alternatives (Why are they using? Stress? Anxiety? How else can we manage these emotions?)
  7. Accept the fact that kids will be kids and they will make mistakes. Kids may also ask you questions and it is best to be upfront and honest about your own mistakes made as a teenager. If they find out you lied or tried a scare tactic your credibility is lost for future conversations.
Remember your children need you - at any age and it is your job to guide your children in a supported, non-judgemental, well-modeled environment.
 
If you haven’t already read it, the Spring 2019 issue of The Link magazine featured a very informative Growing Mind piece on vaping, Is vaping bad for your teen? The answer: Absolutely, and without a doubt, yes.
 
Other helpful resources for parents and teens:
 
The Fallout – a three-minute video on the dangers of nicotine addiction commissioned by the California Tobacco Control Program: https://vimeo.com/341688393?fbclid=IwAR0tbmBcKo4bjQxHIYVwNUDL-CUEBBFQw7LQTExEIqFOIz0HbW-3cI0zegA
 
Health Canada’s Consider the Consequences of Vaping Tour: https://considertheconsequences.ca/
 
Flavors Hook Kids website with scary stats and resources: https://www.flavorshookkids.org/#stats
 
 
An Overview on E-Cigarettes and Vape Pens – to help educate students about these unknowns:
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13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5 
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Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.