A Parent’s Guide to Teens and Vaping Risks

In 2024, e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Dr. Jose Cucalon Calderon, a Pediatrics Physician at Renown Health and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, provides helpful insight into e-cigarettes and the dangers it poses to kids.

What Are E-Cigarettes—and Why Are They Harmful?

E-cigarettes, also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid—usually containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals—into an inhalable aerosol.

While they’re often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes still contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that affects brain development and can lead to long-term dependence—especially in young people.

Nicotine is only part of the problem.
The real danger often lies in the other ingredients found in vape liquid (“E-juice”)—including heavy metals, ultrafine particles, and toxic chemicals that can harm the lungs and cardiovascular system.

Why Are Teens So Vulnerable?

E-cigarettes are heavily marketed to younger audiences using bright packaging, sweet flavors, and trendy branding.

According to the CDC:

• In 2024, 87.6% of youth who vape used flavored products like candy or fruit.
• Nearly 1 in 4 teen vapers reported daily use, a strong indicator of nicotine addiction.
• 76% of students said they were exposed to tobacco marketing through traditional media.
• 74% of social media users saw vaping-related content online.

These targeted messages—paired with easy access to products—make it harder for teens to resist or quit.

How Vaping Impacts Teen and Child Health

Nicotine isn’t just addictive—it can have lasting effects on the developing brain, particularly in kids and teens. Learning, attention, mood, and impulse control can all be affected by nicotine exposure during adolescence.

It’s just as important to be mindful around younger children. Liquid nicotine is highly concentrated, and even a single teaspoon can be fatal if ingested by a small child. Keeping vape products locked away and out of reach helps protect the entire household.

How Do I Monitor My Teen for E-Cigarette Use?

Monitoring your children can be tricky for parents. E-cigarettes can be harder to detect, unlike traditional cigarettes that were easy to detect by smell and residual odor. E-cigarette use, or “vaping,” is often associated with a dry cough or chronic throat/mouth irritation. Overall, increasing research shows strong links between mental health conditions and posterior combustible tobacco use along with increased risk of marijuana use. Nicotine is addictive, but it does not cause altered mental status like the other drugs of abuse can. All parents are strongly encouraged to talk to their children about the potential dangers of e-cigarettes.

What are the Health Risks of Vaping?

Vaping devices have been on the market for a relatively short period of time, with evidence-based health effects and complications still being discovered. Vaping effects poses many harmful risks to children and teens. The risks of vaping include:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness Headaches
• Impaired response to infection in the airway
• Inflammatory problems of the airway
• Nausea
• Nicotine addiction
• Seizures
• Vomiting

Resources for Parents and Teens

• Quitting Support for Teens & Parents:
  Click here for more information about how to stop smoking or vaping, with resources tailored to both teens and caregivers.
• Conversation Guide:
  The U.S. Surgeon General's Tip Sheet helps parents talk with their children about the risks of vaping.
  View the tip sheet
• Free, Confidential Helpline:
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  📞 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  Available 24/7, 365 days a year, in English and Spanish
  Offers free, confidential treatment referral and information for anyone facing substance use or mental health challenges.