Vaping and Nicotine
90 percent of youth in Western North Carolina do not use nicotine vapes (youth surveys, 2023).
Nicotine vapes can pose risks to youth who do use them:
- Nicotine is highly addictive, and youth who vape may become addicted more quickly because of higher nicotine concentrations and frequency of use (FDA, Tobacco Free Kids).
- Studies have shown that youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to try regular cigarettes and become regular cigarette users (Tobacco Free Kids).
- Nicotine can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression (Truth Initiative)
Mountain Strong’s programs to prevent and reduce youth use of nicotine vapes include:
- Ad campaigns aimed at adult caregivers, including parents and guardians
- An ad campaign, currently in development, aimed at youth and highlighting peer non use as a the prevailing norm
- Support for organizations to use AVOID, an interactive, online curriculum shown to be effective at reducing risk for youth vaping
- Presentations
The Good News:
2 out of 3 young people who currently use e-cigarettes want to quit and are thinking about doing so.
There is help for young people who want to quit. Programs for quitting include:
- Live Vape Free, available through the North Carolina Tobacco Quitline and Rally Health
- Ex Program, available through the Truth Initiative