Our Kids are Addicted to Vaping -What Now?

Dr. Cotton

The recent onset of reports of deaths and injuries due to vaping has been overwhelming the news. This very concerning information hides even yet another problem. How do we treat the kids who are now addicted to nicotine due to vaping?

How many kids are vaping? A study showed that about 37% of 12th graders reported vaping in 2018, compared with 28% in 2017.  Vaping nicotine products that have the capability of delivering nicotine in very high jolts  are highly, highly addictive. Exposure to nicotine during youth can lead to addiction and cause long-term harm to brain development. Such potential problems that include attention disorders, impulse control issues, and susceptibility to substance abuse.

How did these kids get addicted in the first place? E-cigs were initially developed to be a “safer” replacement for adults who use cigarettes.  Products like Juul seemed to focus on teens by using advertising that used youthful images and colors, animation, actors who appear to be under 21, and suggestions that vaping makes you happier and improves your social status. Teens have heard that vaping is safer than smoking tobacco. They have taken this to mean that vaping is safe. Even with the  deaths and respiratory illness from vaping some teens are resisting quitting. Teens often feel that things like vaping illness will happen to someone else, not them. Teens often feel invincible. 

Treating teens for nicotine addiction is a problem that was showcased recently in a Politico article. “We have done far too little in examining what is the best way to assist young people who become addicted to cigarettes or e-cigarettes to quit,” said Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “It requires a real all-hands-on-deck effort.” Physicians are scrambling to design their own treatment plans — such as combining behavioral therapy with nicotine replacements. Doctors can  prescribe nicotine cessation treatments to minors but it must be done off-label. Research needs to be done in this area. 

Some of the teens who vape are also vaping THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. This now brings in yet another possible addiction to treat. Other teens are vaping flavors with or without nicotine. These flavors were never tested to be inhaled, only FDA approved to be eaten as a food flavoring.

What can parents do? Talk to your kids. Many kids are willing to talk about vaping. Let them know that there is no safe tobacco product. All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, carry a risk. Vaping has been shown to be gateway to smoking cigarettes. Contact your teen’s doctor. They may be able to treat or know who to refer your child for treatment. Let your child’s doctor know that the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is offering courses for physicians on how to discuss vaping with teens and parents. Make sure your child’s school is taking on education programs to discourage vaping and has a no vaping tolerance on campus.