Red Ribbon Campaign - Vaping

E-cigarettes are devices that heat liquid or wax into aerosol that the user inhales. The liquid usually has nicotine and flavoring in it, and other additives. The nicotine in e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes is addictive. E-cigarettes are considered tobacco products because most of them contact nicotine which comes from tobacco.

Besides nicotine, e-cigarettes can contain harmful ingredients including:

• ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deeply into the lungs
  
• flavorants such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease
• volatile organic compounds
• heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.
• illegal substances such as marijuana or THC Oil

SLANG: E-CIGS/E-HOOKAHS/ VAPE PENS/VAPES/ TANK SYSTEMS/MODS GET THE FACTS E-CIGARETTES ARE A WAY TO INHALE NICOTINE AND MARIJUANA.

The aerosol emitted can also contain other harmful substances, including heavy metals such as lead, volatile organic compounds, and cancer-causing agents.

E-CIGARETTES COME IN MANY SHAPES AND SIZES.Some resemble pens, USB sticks, and other everyday items. Larger devices such as tank systems, or “mods,” do not resemble other tobacco products.

E-CIGARETTE USE HARMS THE DEVELOPING BRAIN. E-cigarettes typically deliver nicotine, a harmful drug to the youth brain and body. Teens are particularly vulnerable to the effects of nicotine since the brain is still developing during these years and through young adulthood.

People who use marijuana in an e-cigarette may experience the same side effects as they would if they smoked marijuana—all of which can be heightened if the person uses marijuana with another substance, such as alcohol.

* Taken from SAMSHA "Tips for Teens E-Cigarettes"

Students can be sent to the District Alternative Education Placement (DAEP) for possession of any vaping products.

Students can even be expelled if the vaping product contains any amount of marijuana or any other controlled substance such as THC oil or wax.

SB 21 went into effect on September 1.

Senate Bill 21 amends the Health and Safety Code to raise the minimum age requirement to 21 years of age for buying, attempting to buy, possessing, consuming, or accepting cigarettes, e‑cigarettes, or tobacco products in Texas, unless the person is at least 18 years of age and presents valid U.S. military or state military identification at the time of purchase. Among other provisions, the bill provides for a warning notice for purchasing or attempting to purchase cigarettes, e‑cigarettes, or tobacco products by a person under 21 years of age, expungement of a conviction for doing so, and certain prohibitions relating to selling, giving, or distributing such products.

Minors who violate the tobacco law can be fined up to $100 and be required to attend a tobacco awareness program or participate in tobacco-related community service. Parents of a minor convicted of a violation may be required to attend the tobacco awareness program with their child.

If students use vaping devices to consume THC products or other controlled substances they may be charged by the police with a felony offense under the Texas penal code and subject to criminal proceedings and penalties.

Here are some questions and comments you might get from your teen about e-cigarettes and some ideas about how you can answer them.

• Why don’t you want me to use e-cigarettes? Your brain is still developing. That can mean you are vulnerable to addiction. Nicotine effects memory and concentration. They contain chemicals that are harmful to your lungs.
• What is the big deal about nicotine? Since your brain is still developing, it affects many areas. You could notice that it is hard to concentrate, learn or control your behaviors. It may even "train your brain" to be open to more addicting chemicals such as meth or cocaine.
• But aren't e-cigarettes safer than regular cigarettes? No, because they still contain the nicotine that is harmful to your brain development. It doesn't matter where the nicotine comes from, it is harmful.
• I thought e-cigarettes didn’t have nicotine – just water and flavoring? I used to think that too. But many e-cigarettes have nicotine. There are also other chemicals in them that can be harmful. Let’s look at the Surgeon General’s website on e-cigarettes (E-cigarettes.SurgeonGeneral.gov) together so you can see for yourself.
• I (or my friends) have tried e-cigarettes and it was no big deal. I appreciate your honesty. In the future, I hope you (or your friends) will stay away from e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, including cigarettes. Science shows that e-cigarettes contain ingredients that are addictive and could harm different parts of your body. Next time we go to the doctor, let’s ask about the risks of nicotine, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products.
• You used tobacco, so why shouldn’t I? If I could live my life over again, I never would have started smoking. I learned that people who smoke cigarettes are much more likely to develop, and die from, certain diseases than people who don’t smoke. This was really scary, so I quit smoking. Quitting was really hard, and I don’t want you to go through that. The best thing is to not start at all.

We know it can be difficult to start the conversations with your child about substance abuse. Having these conversations could be your best defense to safeguard them against drug use.

• There may not be a "perfect" moment. It’s OK for your conversation to take place over time, in bits and pieces.
  
• Focus on the conversation, not confrontation.
• Share your family values on drugs and alcohol.
• Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know, let's research and find out together."

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Center for Disease Control Parent Tip Sheet

Center for Disease Control E-Cigarette Shaped like a Flash Drive

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration