Hello Carol,

The vaping epidemic is still very present in our community. In fact, CDC reports as of October 2022, indicate that youth vaping is at pre-Pandemic levels and rising. In addition, research shows that that vaping is a gateway to other substance use, particularly marijuana/THC, which is another concerning trend in youth substance use.

In this e-news are key facts, trends, tips and resources to support you and your teen, as well as important insights from our own YAB teens.

Also, we are collaborating with Bloomfield Hills PTOC, and Youth Assistance to bring you "Talking to Kids About Body Safety" presented by CARE House of Oakland County. This program is part of the BH PTOC Health and Wellness Committee's 2022-2023 Educational series for parents and students. Details are below.

The more we know, the better we can help our kids in these challenging times.

Stay safe, stay healthy,

Carol & Kelly

Carol Mastroianni

executive director

Kelly Michaud

youth program coordinator

Teen Vaping & Marijuana Use

What you NEED to Know

The latest reports indicate that it's getting harder to keep vapes out of the hands of our teens. This means we need to be informed and vigilant in keeping our kids safe and healthy.

Linda Neff, the chief of the epidemiology branch of the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, said the new numbers show that this year 2.55 million middle and high school students in the U.S. reporting vaping. "These numbers confirm that the e-cigarette epidemic in our country is far from over. Our work is far from done. What is even more disturbing is the frequency of use. Among those who currently use e-cigarettes, more than 1 in 4 use them daily."

So, what is vaping and why is it harmful?

• When teens vape, what they’re doing is inhaling an aerosol, often mistaken for water vapor, that comes from heated liquid inside the device. The liquid also contains many harmful chemicals including nicotine and if they are using marijuana to vape, it contains THC - the main chemical ingredient in marijuana that delivers the high to the brain.
• E-cigarettes come in many shapes and devices; vape pens, mods, pods, Sorin, Puff Bars, and JUULs, just to name a few, are all different devices for heating the liquid that is then inhaled into the lungs.
• E-cigarettes contain a lot of nicotine, which is very addictive. Getting addicted to nicotine can make it harder for teenagers to focus and concentrate, leading to learning challenges, increased mood swings, and increased stress, anxiety and depression.
• Nicotine and THC can harm the developing adolescent brain, since the adolescent brain keeps developing until about age 25.
• Nicotine and THC in adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control, and lead to long-term mental health and coping challenges.
• E-cigarettes also contain numerous toxic chemicals, such as lead, zinc, rubidium, copper, tin, nickel, and many more, that could cause cancer, as well serious lung and cardiovascular problems. In fact, there is a higher likelihood of contracting lipoid pneumonia, which occurs when fatty substances produced by the chemicals that are inhaled into the lungs.

Vaping has gotten much more popular among teenagers in the past few years. Many more teenagers use e-cigarettes, than traditional cigarettes.

• E-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product among youth (17 years old or younger) since 2014.
• 1 out of every 35 middle school students reported e-cigarette use in the past 30 days (2021).
• 1 out of every 9 high school students reported e-cigarette use in the past 30 days (2021).

Why do teens vape?

Simply this, vaping and vaping accessories are marketed to attract teens and young adults, and the research shows that it’s working.

• For teens, many see vaping as a social activity. They see their peers and others vaping and they see it as a way to fit in. And many teens perceive it as less harmful than smoking.
• Vaping is easier to hide from parents than smoking. They don’t give off as much smoke as traditional cigarettes. Also, unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are odorless or have a sweet smell. Plus, vaping devices often resemble pens or electronic equipment, so it’s easier for teens to use them without getting caught.

From our Youth Action Board Teens on why, when and what to do?

• Peer pressure plays a big role. If they do it, they think they will be seen as "cool". They feel the need to prove they are.

• A lot of people vape to escape stress.

• Once a few people start, it's like a domino effect and it escalates and spreads.

• For me, I saw it spreading in middle school, and it's just accepted in high school.

• Weed is definitely the next thing people will vape. It's a gateway for sure.

• Kids are always vaping in the bathrooms. It's common to walk in and see multiple people in several stalls and you just know what's going on.

• It's hard to see people I know or thought I knew star to vape. I feel disappointed in them and honestly bad for them.



• Parents should build a good relationship with their kids so they can talk to them openly. Offer help when we make mistakes, talk to us and help us, rather than accuse and yell. It will only make us defensive.