In fall of 2023 Tuscarawas County did a community survey which revealed that in the US, 1 in 4 youth report using an electronic smoking device daily. Vaping is unhealthy for everyone, but it especially impacts young people as they grow. The Tuscarawas County Health Department’s tobacco use prevention and cessation program is working to prevent and address youth vaping through it’s “Keep playing. Don’t vape”campaign.
This is Public Health is brought to you in partnership with the Tuscarawas County Health Department.
TCHD wants to encourage kids to stay active and avoid the health hazards of vaping. They are reminding kids that vaping can cause them to struggle to remain active in extracurricular activities like sports and band. Their campaign reminds young people about the dangers of vaping such as:
“Popcorn lung”: Bronchiolitis obliterans (also known as BO), a rare condition that shows damage of the lungs’ small airways. According to John Hopkins Medicine, popcorn lung was originally discovered when popcorn factory workers started getting sick. This was caused by diacetyl, a butter-flavored chemical found in microwave popcorn. Diacetyl is frequently added to flavored e-liquid to enhance the taste. Inhaling diacetyl causes inflammation and may lead to permanent damage in the smallest branches of the airways —which makes breathing difficult. Symptoms of popcorn lung include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
Vaping-Related Pneumonia: Unlike the classic pneumonia caused by infection, vaping-related lipoid pneumonia develops when fatty acids enter the lungs. This the result of inhaling oily substances found in e-liquid, which can cause an inflammatory response in the lungs. Symptoms of lipoid pneumonia include:
- Chronic cough
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood or blood-tinged mucus
Collapsed Lung: Vaping caused collapsed lung, occurs when there’s a hole in the lung through which oxygen escapes. This can be the result of an injury — such as a gunshot or knife wound — or when air blisters on the top of the lungs rupture and create tiny tears.
- Signs of a collapsed lung include:
- Sharp chest or shoulder pain
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
Vapes also contain dangerous chemicals like:
- Benzene- found in pesticides and gasoline
- Formaldehyde- used to preserve dead bodies in embalming.
- Lead- can stunt your growth and damage your brain
- Ammonia- a chemical found in cleaners
- Acetone- found in nail polish remover
- Cadmium- causes damage to the liver, kidneys, and brain
- Butane- highly flammable, one of the key components of gasoline
- Arsenic- deadly poison, can make your lips burn
- Benzopyrene- found in coal tar and cigarette smoke, one of the most potent cancer causing chemicals
Vaping has negative financial impacts because it can cost $1,500 or more a year. Teens could spend this money on things like:
- New laptop or tablet
- New phone
- New video game console
- Shoes
- New fishing equipment
If you smoke or vape, don’t brush off chest or lung pain as something that’s normal. If you have pain or other symptoms associated with breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath and chronic cough, it’s important to see a doctor.
For free help for teens to quit vaping, visit mylifemyquit.com or text “START” to 36072. For free help for adults to quit vaping, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Visit the following web page for more info: https://www.tchdnow.org/tobacco-use-prevention.html
To learn more about our tobacco use prevention and cessation programs please visit tchdnow.org, visit us on Facebook, or email healthed@tchdnow.org.
