What Do Minnesota Parents Need to Know About E-cigarettes and Vaping?

The 2020 Minnesota Youth Tobacco Survey showed that one in five Minnesota high school students has vaped in the past 30 days. This is unchanged from previous studies in 2017 and 2019. What has changed is the frequency youth are vaping, alluding to a sign of increased nicotine dependence. Research shows that youth who receive caring guidance from a concerned adult are more likely to quit. As concerned adults, we can look for the signs, provide the facts and steer kids in the right direction.

What Are E-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery devices are devices that heat liquid or salts, rather than burn solids like a conventional cigarette, creating a vapor that is inhaled known as vaping. Many parents have no idea about the different types of e-cigarettes. Disposable e-cigarettes come prefilled with e-liquid, and the entire device is designed to be discarded after a single use. These often resemble the look and shape of a traditional cigarette. Other devices, like Puff Bar, have “pods” or “cartridges” that hold an e-salt or e-liquid. Some pods or cartridges come pre-filled and are replaced after use. In instances where you can only purchase tobacco and menthol flavors, such as with the case of Elf Bar brand pods, your child could refill these devices with other flavored juices or salts.

More disposable devices have popped up like Vuse, SMOK or Hyde that promote 1,500 to 5,000 individual puffs for as low as $20. These products have created a synthetic nicotine that allows them to skirt around any flavor bans. Although not being sold legally, current regulation does not make them illegal. Tank or mod-type devices are refilled by users and are customizable, allowing the user to change the temperature, voltage or nicotine concentrations as well as add accessories to enhance the user experience. This type of device also is used with THC, the element of marijuana that gives the feeling of being “high.”

At this point there may be more than just nicotine associated with e-cigarettes. Some pods may have marijuana/THC, and alarmingly, some unregulated products are also being laced with fentanyl.

What Do You Need to Know About E-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes do not just contain harmless water vapor. Vaping liquids contain heavy metals including nickel, lead, tin and other cancer-causing chemicals. These small particles are then inhaled deep into the lungs.

There is likely nicotine involved, even if the packaging says there is not. Due to the lack of regulation of e-cigarettes, makers do not have to release what level of nicotine is inside. A study found that although they advertise no nicotine, traces of it are typically found.

A typical pod found in an Elf Bar is equivalent to the nicotine in 20 conventional cigarettes, and the e-salts were designed to send the nicotine directly to the brain. Nicotine can have significant negative impacts on the developing brains of children and young adults — anyone younger than 25. Kids’ brains are extremely sensitive to nicotine. Researchers have reported that only a small amount of nicotine can trigger an addiction stronger than the one to heroin or cocaine.

How Can You Tell If Your Child Vapes?

Vaping devices are small and often easy to hide, but you will likely see changes in your child’s physical behavior. Vaping dries out mucus membranes in the mouth, throat and nose. When the mouth is dry, it makes certain flavors harder to enjoy. Is your youth looking for ways to add more flavor to foods, maybe more salt or spice than they typically would use?

Vaping turns off the immune system in the lungs and makes it harder to clean them up. Is your teen experiencing more illnesses than normal?

Most vapes that kids are using have a fruit or mint flavor. The aromas are sweeter and more flavorful than a conventional cigarette. Are there more fruity smells in your home than there used to be?

When the brain becomes addicted, it is hard to concentrate on anything else. Are you seeing behavior changes, mood swings and agitation? Are there suddenly changes in grades, unexcused absences or tardiness to class?

What Can You Do If You Suspect Your Child Is Vaping?

Start the conversation in a non-threatening way. If you are upset, wait until you have calmed. The goal is to help — not blame.

Listen and seek understanding. You want to meet your child where he or she is at so that you can walk the journey together. Forcing your agenda will likely push your child away.

Resources

CentraCare’s Tobacco Treatment Program provides both medication and counseling by specially trained providers. Visits can be done both in person and via video visit.

Quit Partner is Minnesota’s free way to quit nicotine, including smoking, vaping, and chewing. They can support your quit with one-on-one coaching and other helpful tools. Check out My Life, My Quit for a program specifically designed for teens.

“This is Quitting” designed by the Truth Initiative has helped more than 500,000 youth and young adults to quit vaping. Youth can join for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709.

Updated April 22, 2024