How Does Vaping Affect Teens

There’s been increased awareness in recent years over the teen vaping epidemic, but how does vaping affect teens—especially when it comes to their mental health?

Today’s teens are more likely to use e-cigarettes than normal cigarettes, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. And rates of vaping among teens has jumped remarkably, with 42.5% of high school seniors reporting vaping in their lifetime in 2019, versus 35.8% in 2017. This has caused many scientists to look at what effects these electronic devices are having on the developing bodies—and developing brains—of teenagers.

The dangers of Juuling and consuming other e-cigarette products aren’t just physical. Below, we’ll go into detail about the mental health effects of vaping, with some tips on how to work through a vaping addiction.

Vaping and Mental Health

Vaping and mental health are closely intertwined. The young adult brain is in a regular state of evolution, with many of its core structures not reaching full maturity until an individual’s early- to mid-twenties. That makes vaping in teens especially problematic, due to the effects of nicotine and other harmful substances found in vapes on the developing brain.

The nicotine in vaping devices puts teenagers at risk for a range of long-term effects, including mood disorders, reduced impulse control, and addiction. It can also exacerbate the symptoms and behaviors of depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity.

So with all the known risks, why are teens still vaping? On top of already being susceptible to poor impulse control, the vape industry—and the world around them—are set up to highlight the perceived benefits of e-cigarettes to teenagers while minimizing the risks. The CDC’s 2016 National Youth Tobacco Survey found that, among students who vaped in 2016, 39% did so because a friend or family member also did, 31% were drawn to the availability of “fun” flavors like candy and chocolate, and 17.1% believed e-cigarettes to be less harmful than traditional cigarettes.

The teenage vaping epidemic is part peer pressure, part sneaky marketing, and part “teens being teens.” Meanwhile, the mental health consequences are very real, which leads us to our next section: what you can do about it.

Getting Teens to Stop Vaping

Let’s talk about how to stop vaping. Addiction is a very real illness, and quitting e-cigarettes is going to be easier for some than it is for others. Still, there are things that all teens and parents can do to get on the right path.

  1. Set a quit date—and tell others about it. Accountability is one of the most important factors in giving up any bad habit. Set a quit date (don’t make it too far in advance!) and share it with one or two trusted confidants to gain both more accountability and more confidence.
  2. Be aware of the potential side effects. Quitting vaping can come with withdrawal symptoms, and it’s important to know what they are so you’re prepared. These include irritability, headaches, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. Learn more about vaping withdrawal symptoms here.

Taking Control of Quitting

The earlier a teen stops vaping the better, especially when it comes to mitigating its mental health effects. We encourage parents to keep an open mind with their teenagers and to work together to put an end to the addiction.