Vaping Epidemic

In the past, smoking cigarettes was common as there wasn’t much information on just how harmful they were. Today, the severe health risks associated with smoking are well-documented, and the habit is widely frowned upon. However, a similar public health crisis is emerging in the 21st century with the rising use of electronic tobacco devices,commonly known as e-cigarettes.

West Virginia currently ranks one of the highest in the nation for tobacco use. According to the West Virginia Health Statistics Center, in 2023, 10.1% of adults reported current use of e-cigarettes.

One of the biggest components of the state’s e-cigarette problem is its use among children, mainly those of middle and high school age. The West Virginia Department of Education reports that 27% of West Virginia high school students currently use electronic vapor products, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 3.5% of middle school students currently use e-cigarettes.

There are many misconceptions surrounding e-cigarette use, one large example being that it is not harmful at all or is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. Many users, especially children, aren’t aware that e-cigarettes contain nicotine and believe they only emit water vapor.

Michelle Anderson, executive director of the American Heart Association of West Virginia & Blue Ridge, Virginia, says if the current rate continues, nearly 8% of youth will die prematurely due to smoking related diseases.

“These products can deliver significantly higher levels of addictive nicotine compared to traditional cigarettes—one pod can contain as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes,” Anderson says. “Another common misconception is that e-cigarettes only emit ‘harmless water vapor.’ In fact, the aerosol from e-cigarettes can be harmful to the lungs, cardiovascular system and brain development.”

Jen Folkenroth, national senior director of Tobacco Programs at the American Lung Association, says another misconception of e-cigarettes is that they are meant for weaning off or quitting cigarette use.

Folkenroth says when people use e-cigarettes to try to quit smoking, they often end up becoming dual users of both products, and sometimes begin using other tobacco products as well. Furthermore, e-cigarettes are not FDA-approved as a cigarette cessation tool. She emphasizes that there are FDA-approved medications for this purpose and encourages anyone wishing to quit to seek these out rather than switching to a different tobacco product.

A useful tool in stopping tobacco use is education—especially before children might try e-cigarettes—to prevent them from wanting to use these harmful products or help them understand why it is so important to quit.

To help children understand the harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes, the American Lung Association tries comparing them to things they recognize.

“The chemical acetone is also found in nail polish, and arsenic is used in rat poison,” Folkenroth says. “Ammonia is a chemical found in toilet bowl cleaner, and carbon monoxide is found in carts. It’s really helping to make those connections for the youth. We ask the child if they think breathing these chemicals into their lungs would hurt them or make it harder for them to breathe and play.”

Folkenroth also says making the connection between e-cigarette use and conditions like depression or anxiety clear can help children steer away from use, as the product is proven to cause symptoms of negative mental health conditions.

“Children respond really well to understanding that vaping can lead to worsening anxiety symptoms and amplify feelings of depression—that, in fact, the chemicals in vaping products as well as the nicotine are incredibly harmful to the adolescent brain as it’s still developing all the way up until age 25,” she says.

It is also crucial for local communities and schools to get involved in helping stop e-cigarette use. Youth programs that promote a tobacco-free lifestyle—such as Catch My Breath, Not on Tobacco and INDEPTH—are essential for early education and prevention, and it is important for parents to offer their children smoke-free homes and cars so as not to expose them to second-hand smoke or encourage them to use tobacco themselves.

Anderson encourages parents whose children have already begun using e-cigarettes to support them through the quitting process.

“If your child has started vaping but wants to quit, you can be their accountability partner. Work together to create a specific plan and set realistic goals,” she says. “Help them identify the situations and triggers that will make quitting difficult so they’re prepared to handle them. It’s essential for your child to take the lead in this process with you providing support rather than directing the effort.”

In West Virginia, it is currently illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18, and there is a 0.075 per milliliter tax of e-cigarette liquid as well. However, with the state having such a high-ranking status in tobacco use, it is essential that West Virginia continue efforts to stop these harmful products through education, support and legislative measures.