Myth Buster
Vapes are just harmless water vapor
No, vapes produce an aerosol containing nicotine, ultrafine particles, and heavy metals.
You are out with your friend and someone comes up to your friend offering them a vape, the person is very pushy and refusing to leave your friend alone. What should you do?
Grab your friend and say "Hey, we are going to be late." Making an excuse to leave the situation that could be potentially harmful to you and your friend.
"Light" Cigarettes are safer
False, There is no safe cigarette; all deliver addictive nicotine and harmful toxins.
What's the most common reason for not quitting?
Smoking eases stress, however while smoking provides a temporary dopamine boost, it increases heart rate and blood pressure, creating a cycle of addiction that increases overall anxiety and stress over time.
A device that is used to inhale and exhale flavored nicotine vapor
Vapes
Nicotine causes cancer
While extremely harmful and addictive, nicotine itself is not the primary cause of cancer, lung disease, or heart disease; rather, it is the thousands of other toxins in tobacco smoke and tar.
You walk into a crowded bathroom where people are vaping/smoking and one of the people using offers you a hit, what do you do?
Say "No thank you" and walk away, maybe even go to a different bathroom.
E-cigarettes are also called vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Any of these are a safe way to help you quit smoking.
False, you are still receiving nicotine
What does the phrase "cold turkey" mean?
the abrupt and complete stop of taking a drug to which someone is addicted to
A small, white, tobacco-leaf-free oral nicotine pouches placed between the lip and gum
Zyn
Vaping helps manage stress and anxiety
Nicotine increases anxiety and stress over time due to withdrawal cycles.
You walk into a crowded area and see your friend laying on the floor sick from nicotine poisoning, what should you do?
Call 911 or poison control, keep them awake, and make sure they are breathing and calm.
Medicines are available that can help quit dependence on nicotine.
True, there are many ways medical professionals use to help stop or slowly reduce the amount of nicotine you use and depend on.
How does dependence on nicotine develop?
Nicotine changes the pattern of nerve signals in the brain
a thin cylinder of finely cut tobacco rolled into a piece of paper for smoking
Cigarettes
Vaping nicotine is harmless compared to smoking
No,vaping still contains nicotine, which is highly addictive and acts as a poison, harming developing brains and increasing stress/anxiety rather than reducing it.
You see a classmate vaping rapidly in the bathroom, acting anxious, and looking sick (nicotine withdrawal/overuse). What do you do?
Address them directly by saying "are you doing okay?" if you don't know them well enough to ask, then notify an adult to check on them.
The nicotine in a vape pod is equal to 30 cigarettes
True
What happens when nicotine comes into contact with the brain?
Dopamine is released
Products designed for cessation, including patches (long-acting), gum, lozenges, nasal spray, and inhalers.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
"Nicotine-free" vapes are safe
No, many vapes labeled nicotine-free still contain nicotine, and the aerosol chemicals are toxic.
When talking to someone about nicotine, what should you refrain from doing?
Be calm, don't act judgemental
Use personal perspective, instead of saying "you're wrong" say "that is making it difficult for me to breathe"
Safety first, don't intervene directly if you are alone or feel unsafe with the person.
Nicotine in a vape can cause brain fog
True
Which ingredient is not found in vapes in the following?
Butanoic Acid, Hydrogen Cyanide, Water, and Acetone
Water
A prescription, non-nicotine, oral medication that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms by acting on the brain’s nicotinic receptors.
Varenicline (Chantix)