Vaping and Addiction: An Update
Vaping of e-cigarettes remains very popular among teenagers. Across the country, about 20% of high school seniors report that they are currently vaping. We do not know how this compares to what is happening in our community. Yet I see many kids in our community vaping, and wonder if they are aware of the health consequences.
As a parent and as a psychologist, my biggest worry is that kids who vape will develop nicotine addiction, more formally called tobacco use disorder. Nicotine is extracted from tobacco, and is the active ingredient in most vapes. It is a stimulant that increases heart rate and blood pressure. Kids like vapes because nicotine improves alertness, focus, and memory. The problem is that over a very short period of time, nicotine can cause depression, reduce alertness and focus, and impair memory and learning. Many kids who start vaping report how difficult it is to make it through the school day or take a test.