Vaping, Teens & Pregnancy | Overview
The information on this page is available in a printable format. Download the Vaping and Pregnancy Factsheet.
What is vaping?
Vaping is the act of inhaling the aerosol from an e-cigarette. E-cigarettes are electronic devices that deliver nicotine and other chemicals directly to the lungs. They can be refillable or disposable.
They are also known as:
- electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)
- e-devices
- e-pens
- e-hookahs
- vape pipes
- vape pens
- dab pens
- dab rigs
- juice
- JUULs
- mods
- pod-mods
- cigalikes
What is in the vaping aerosol?
The aerosol that is inhaled from the e-cigarette is not water vapor. In fact, the "vapor" contains cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals, nicotine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ultrafine particles, and flavorings known to cause lung damage.
Watch: A vaping demonstration video
Aerosol inhaled from an e-cigarette is not only water vapor. It contains chemicals that are dangerous to health. This short video shows the difference between e-cigarette aerosol and the water vapor produced in a shower using a common air quality meter.
Additional truths about vaping
- Higher nicotine absorption: E-cigarettes are made to get more nicotine into the bloodstream, with less irritation, than regular cigarettes.
- Labeling problems: Some products labeled as 0% nicotine actually had nicotine in them when tested in a lab.
- Poisoning: Adults and children can be poisoned by vape juice by swallowing, breathing, or absorbing the liquid through skin and eyes. If you have concerns, call the Poison Help Hotline at 800-222-1222.
- COVID-19: People who vape have a higher risk of getting COVID-19 than those who do not use e-cigarettes.
If you have concerns or if someone has ingested nicotine, especially a child, call the Poison Help hotline immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
Vaping and teens
How are teens affected by vaping?
Nicotine use by teens can lead to problems with attention and learning, mood disorders, impulse control, and addiction. Human brains are not fully developed until age 25. When children and teens vape:
- they can become dependent on nicotine very quickly, even from a one-time use
- the dependence can be longer and stronger than for an adult.
Your teen may show signs of nicotine withdrawal when they can’t use their vape. These are some the symptoms of withdrawal:
- cravings to vape
- anxiety
- tingling
- nausea
- cramps
- weight gain
- insomnia
- mood disorders
- depression
Could your teen be vaping?
The Surgeon General reported that vaping by high school students increased 900 percent from 2011 to 2015, bypassing all other tobacco products. In 2019, more than one in every four middle and high students reported vaping at least once.
Vaping and pregnancy
What are the potential effects on a baby?
Early data shows the following, but more studies are still needed.
- reduced learning ability
- small birth size
- low birth weight
- harm brain function
- hurt heart and lungs
Recommendations and resources
Recommendations
If you are pregnant and vape or use other tobacco products, it is in the best interest of your health and the health of your baby to quit. If you or your child is vaping, or using any nicotine products, it also is in the best interest of your health to quit. The following resources are available to help.
- Talk to your doctor or trusted health professional.
- Text “quit” to 202-804-9884 for free support.
- Seek professional health from a therapist, health coach, or tobacco treatment specialist.
- Contact your local PEHSU.
- Enroll in a tobacco or nicotine cessation program. Many employers and health insurers offer a quit program.
- Search the resources below for more information.
Resources and more information
- Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU): www.pehsu.net
- Adolescent Substance Abuse and Addiction Program at Boston Children’s Hospital https://www.childrenshospital.org/programs/adolescent-substance-use-and-addiction-program/parent-resources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): www.acog.org
- Healthy Children; American Academy of Pediatrics: www.healthychildren.org
- American Lung Association: www.lung.org
- SmokeFree Programs: www.smokefree.org
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: www.drugabuse.gov
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/tobacco
- American Association of Poison Control Centers: https://aapcc.org/prevention/tobacco-liquid-nicotine
- Truth Initiative: https://truthinitiative.org
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Department of Health and Human Services): https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
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