E -Cigarettes 101
What is an e-cigarette?
A handheld electronic device that simulates the feeling of smoking. It works by heating the liquid to generate an aerosol, also called a vapour that the user inhales and exhales. Using e-cigarettes is commonly referred to as vaping.
True or False
Unlike cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain no cancer causing chemicals
False
E-cigarettes contains harmful chemicals such as acetaldehyde and formaldehyde
True of False
E- cigarettes are the most commonly used nicotine product used by youth.
True
7.7% of youth report vaping currently compared to 1.6% of youth who report smoking cigarettes
In Wisconsin, what is the legal age requirement to purchase tobacco containing products (including E-cigarettes)?
Answer: 21 years and older
The federal Tobacco 21 sales law was passed in late 2019 that prohibts the sales of any tobacco products to citizens under the age of 21 years old. This was based on multiple factors, including the concerning statistic that 95% of adult smokers report having started using tobacco before the age of 21.
TRUE or FALSE: E-cigarrettes are less addictive than traditional cigarrettes.
Answer: False
Actually 2.5x greater nicotine dependence in one study in participants that exclusively used e-cigs vs traditional smokers vs both.
What is the liquid in e- cigarettes called?
E-Juice or Vape juice
There are over 7,000 different flavors available. The e-juice contains nicotine, flavoring, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerin. It often contains nicotine in comparable amounts to a cigarette.
How fast does it take for nicotine to get to the brain?
10-20 seconds
True or False
Youth who use e-cigarettes do not end up smoking later on in life.
False
Research shows that youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke later on in life.
According to Wisconsin state law, it is [fill in the blank] to use electronic cigarrettes while occupying indoor public venues, such as malls, theaters, schools, and restaurants.
Answer: legal
In Wisconsin, it is not illegal to vape indoors, although there are exceptions. As of December 2023, 19 states have passed comprehensive indoor anti-smoking and vaping laws. These laws prohibit smoking and the use of e-cigarettes in indoor areas of private worksites, restaurants, and bars.
What is the addictive component of e-liquid or vape juice?
With exception of marijuana containing pen liquid
True of False
Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarette vapor does not contain nicotine or tar.
False
E-cigarettes may contain nicotine but do not contain tar.
Tar is the common name for small pieces of toxic chemicals left behind in your lungs produced by burning tobacco.
Nicotine is the chemical which causes addiction.
True or False
E-Juice contains enough poisonous chemicals that could cause accidental death if drank or absorbed through the skin.
True
E-Juice can cause injury or even death if consumed
True or false
Nicotine in e-cigarettes makes it harder for youth to do well in school.
True
Nicotine in e-cigarettes makes it harder for youth to learn, concentrate, or control their impulses.
TRUE or FALSE:
Vape batteries can be prone to start fires and in some cases have lead to large explosions resulting in injury to multiple people.
True.
Although some vape pens have newer "safety features," the exact cause of the fires/explosions is not completely understood. Just as you should never light a match/lighter around flammable products (such as at a gas station or near an oxygen tank), it is also dangerous to ignite/activate a vape pen around these products.
Once someone stops smoking/vaping, symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can occur anywhere from [ unit of time] to [ unit of time ] (minutes, days, weeks, months, years), depending on length AND amount of nicotine use.
Answer: days to weeks
What are the four main components of an E- cigarette?
A battery, a cartridge or tank, an atomizer, and an LED light
Name 1 long term health complication of e-cigarette usage.
Heart disease, lung disease, cancer, dental and gum disease
What percentage of middle schoolers report current use of e-cigarettes?
4.6% middle school students compared to 10% of high school students
To properly dispose of vape accessories and/or pen the environmental protection agency (EPA) reccommends which of the following methods: a) throwing in household trash b) placing in household recycling can c) take to hazardous waste collection site
Answer: C - take to household hazardous waste collection site. It's not safe or environmentally sound to disposal of vape pens/batteries/accessories in standard garbage or recycling as it can cause dire issues in the recycling/garbage plants and in the ground water/soil over time.
Name one symptom of nicotine withdrawal.
Answer: Irritability, physical cravings, shakiness, insomnia, headaches, restlessness, fatigue, constipation, cough, anxiety, depression.
True or false
E- cigarette ''juice'' is sold in many flavors such as Peanut Butter Cookie, Grandma's Apple Pie, and Rainbow Custard, all of which have been tested for their safety when inhaled.
False
These flavorings have not been tested for their safety when inhaled. The lungs are designed to filter one substance: oxygen.
What is the chemical that e-cigarettes contain that is also an herbicide used to kill weeds?
Acrolein
E-cigarettes contain acrolein, a herbicide primarily used to kill weeds
Why do most youth start using e-cigarettes?
Youth may start using e-cigarettes for a variety of reasons including to look cool, to fit in, for the flavours, and as part of a social activity.
Research says that most youth start because they want to try flavours.
TRUE or FALSE? To date, no e-cigarette has been approved as a cessation device or authorized to make a modified risk claim per the FDA.
Although claimed to initially have been developed for the purpose of assisting traditional cigarette smokers in quitting, no devices have actually been approved for this purpose by the FDA.
TRUE or FALSE: You can talk to your doctor about vaping without your parent/caregiver having to know.
Answer: True!