SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Vape, e-pen, mod, e-cigs, all names for the rising trend that is the electronic cigarette. The electric cigarette – better known as vaping is the trend that peaked in 2019/2020 and continues to be a major concern among youth due to an increase in the number of them who vape daily. A 2024 study found that the rate of daily use among youth vapers increased from 15.4 percent in 2020 to 28.8 percent in 2024, and the increase is not slowing down.

DID YOU KNOW that 1.6 million middle and high school students are still vaping? This remains a public health concern due to the addictive nature of nicotine and the potential long-term effects on a developing brain. Many people, especially youth, are unaware of the ingredients in a vape pen. Youth especially aren’t aware how much nicotine is in the devices or the “juice” they are using, as well as the effects of nicotine and other toxic ingredients on the body and the toll it can have over time.

DID YOU KNOW the legal age to purchase and use tobacco products in California and Nevada is 21? Many are unaware that tobacco contains nicotine and that nicotine is a drug and is highly addictive. In fact, any vape/e-cigarette that contains tobacco has nicotine in it (along with many other chemicals that you typically would not put in your body). 

DID YOU KNOW Nicotine is highly addictive? Nicotine is a stimulant, which is a class of drug that activates the central nervous system and speeds up communication between the brain and body. All stimulants affect the body by increasing your heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. We know it can increase brain activity, causing people to be more alert, less tired, and more physically active. But using nicotine to do this is unhealthy and can hurt other parts of your body and brain, which is why it is easy to become addicted to nicotine when using vape pens. When you participate in physical activities like running, dancing, or playing a sport, those activities can increase your heart rate, blood pressure, increase brain activity and help you be more alert and less tired, but in a healthy way. 

DID YOU KNOW that using tobacco before the age of 21 negatively impacts the brain’s development and increases risk for addiction? Unfortunately, data show that the younger you are introduced to nicotine or any drug, the higher the risk of developing a substance disorder.

So where can you start if you want to cut back on vaping or quit altogether?

There are some resources to help you get started:

Kick It California has some great information as well as having coaches you can video call with, get text messages, or talk with on the phone, all for free. The website has steps and tips for quitting or reducing how much you vape. https://www.kickitca.org/ 

The Nevada Tobacco Quit website lets you choose online, Live Chat, or call a hotline to get started. https://www.nevadatobaccoquitline.com/en-US 

For more local information, visit the TASK website https://tahoesafekids.org/. There you can sign up for the monthly newsletter, find other resources, or learn how to join them.

-Tahoe Alliance For Safe Kids (TASK)