Youth Vaping Resources in Northern Michigan

In the past several years, vaping has become a popular alternative to smoking cigarettes. Because it is odorless, available in fruit and candy-favored oil, and comes in many easily concealed forms, vaping is increasingly popular among kids, teens, and young adults. But what exactly is vaping? And more important, is it safe for our youth?

Your Health Matters: The Truth About Vaping

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christine Nefcy and Vice President of Quality and Safety Dr. Tom Peterson – take a closer look at the youth vaping epidemic. Plus, see the many vaping tools disguised as everyday objects that kids and teens may be using. Video courtesy of TV 7&4.

Secret Vaping Devices Kids and Teens are Using

Prevention Specialist Lisa Anderson of @upnorthprevention an initiative of Catholic Human Sources shares the “secret” vaping tools kids and teens in northern Michigan may be using. 

What is Vaping?

Vaping is a term used to describe the process of inhaling aerosol (popularly known as vapor) into the lungs. The vapor is created through an oil or “juice,” as it’s often referred to, that is filled with chemicals and toxic substances, including nicotine.

There are many types of vaping tools that are used to spray this liquid solution of chemicals and nicotine into the lungs. While you might have seen a more common form used among adults called e-cigarettes there are dozens of other vaping tools on the market. Many of the tools are intentionally designed to be small and easily hidden, whether inside of a pocket or even out in the open in the form of an everyday tool such as a highlighter.

Common Types of Vaping Devices

Here are some of the common vaping devices that kids and teens are using. Many look like normal, every day objects that allow vaping liquids to be hidden.

Vaping and Kids: The Dangers

In many ways, the same tactics that were used to entice children to smoke in earlier decades (think Joe Camel, for example) are being used to sell vaping paraphernalia to kids today. How so?

• The vaping tools are easily hidden inside pockets, purses and book bags – or even out in the open in the form of an everyday item, such as a highlighter. 
• Vaping oil or juice comes in kid-friendly “flavors” such as candy, fruit, or dessert flavors. The oil is typically packaged in techware-looking cartridges or bottles labeled with colorful, bold designs.

Pineapple Syrup Vaping Juice

Watermelon Favored Vaping Juice

As you might imagine, the combination of these factors creates a kind of subculture that can be very appealing to curious children and teens. In fact, current statistics show that 27.5 percent – more than one in four teens  – are vaping, up 78 percent in the past year. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).