Know the Risks: Nicotine is Not Safe for Teens

Most vapes have very high levels of nicotine, a chemical that literally rewires your brain and gets you hooked. There is no safe level of nicotine for teens. While vaping might seem like a safer option than smoking, it's definitely not safe. The nicotine and other toxic chemicals in vapes can mess with your mind, damage your lungs, and make it harder to breathe. Bottom line: there is nothing healthy or safe about vaping.

Vape companies use flavors like cotton candy, bubble gum, pink lemonade, or other sweet and fruity flavors to make vaping seem fun, harmless, and even healthy. The reality is that the flavors get you hooked, but they’re full of nicotine, which keeps you constantly wanting more. That’s why flavored vapes and e-cigarettes can't legally be sold in New York State. Flavored vapes make it easier to start vaping and hide the harsh taste of tobacco but remember, the side effects of nicotine addiction are just as harsh. Nicotine withdrawal feels awful – shaking hands, rapid heartbeat and panic attacks, mood swings off the charts, and headaches.

Nicotine can seriously mess with your health. But there's more than just nicotine in vapes. Vapes often contain chemicals found in things like weed killer, bug spray, antifreeze, and cleaning products. One of the main chemicals – acetone - strips paint from walls, takes rust off tools, and removes nail polish.

Vaping nicotine can also mess with how you feel. The cravings can cause mood swings and the next hit might make you feel good for a bit, but then you could feel really low. Nicotine makes it harder to pay attention, makes you feel off, and more anxious or sad. You might want to reach for your vape to 'feel better', but it only makes things worse. This is the cycle of addiction.

Worrying about hiding your vape from family or friends adds even more stress on top of everything else.

Did you know that vaping can hurt your pets, too? If your dog or cat accidentally eats a vape pen or gets into vape liquid, they could get very sick and even die from nicotine poisoning. If that happens, take them to the veterinarian right away.

Concerned about the environment? Vape pens and disposable e-cigarettes are considered hazardous waste and are single-use plastics that are really bad for the earth. Vapes contain lithium batteries, which are hazardous and can't be put in regular trash, and plastic that doesn't break down easily. Nicotine and other chemicals can leach into land and water, harming animals and nature. Plus, lithium batteries have exploded while being used and caused serious injury, and have caused fires, putting both people and the planet at risk.