September 5, 2025

Vaping and E-Cigarettes: What Teens Need to Know About the Risks

Vaping has become one of the biggest health concerns for teens in the U.S. While cigarette smoking among youth has dropped to historic lows, e-cigarettes remain the most used tobacco product among middle and high school students. Many teens believe vaping is less harmful than smoking – but the reality is, vaping carries serious health risks and can quickly lead to nicotine addiction.

The snapshot: teen vaping in 2024–2025

  • How many teens vape? In 2024, 2.25 million U.S. middle and high school students reported current (past-30-day) e-cigarette use.
  • Daily use is common among users. Among students who currently vape, 26.3% vaped every day – a sign of addiction.
  • Flavors drive youth use. 87.6% of student vapers used flavored products; top flavors were fruit, candy and mint. Disposable vapes were the most common device type (55.6%).
  • Popular brands: Elf Bar, Breeze, Mr. Fog, Vuse and JUUL

Vaping at school

School bathrooms have become vaping hotspots across the country. Teachers and administrators report that vaping disrupts learning time. Schools are increasingly using detectors and prevention programs to respond. Importantly, many teens who vape say they want to quit—but need support, not punishment.

Why vaping is risky for teens

  • Nicotine and the teen brain. Nicotine changes brain circuits that control attention, learning, mood and impulse control and increases the risk of addiction and dependence.
  • It’s not just “water vapor.” E-cig aerosol can contain nicotine, ultrafine particles, volatile organic compounds, cancer-causing chemicals and heavy metals (e.g., nickel, tin, lead). Some flavorings (like diacetyl) are linked to serious lung disease.
  • Health symptoms can show up fast. Youth vaping is associated with respiratory symptoms, reduced athletic performance and mental health symptoms, such as depression Accidental nicotine poisonings from liquids are a known hazard.
  • Vaping-Associated Pneumothorax (VASP): Some cases of spontaneous pneumothorax (collapsed lung) are linked to vaping. Inhaling chemicals found in e-cigarettes can cause lung tissue damage and inflammation, making the lungs more susceptible to rupture. Additionally, the act of vaping, particularly deep inhalations and holding your breath, can create abnormal pressure changes within the lungs that may lead to a tear. A collapsed lung is a serious medical emergency.
  • E-cigarette batteries have caused fires and explosions resulting in burns and serious injuries.

Common myths vs. facts

    Myth: “Vaping is harmless because it’s just flavor.”

    Fact: Most vapes deliver nicotine plus other harmful chemicals – and nearly 9 in 10 youth vapers use flavored products.

    Myth: “It’s safer than smoking, so it’s fine for teens.”

    Fact: While some adult smokers use e-cigs to try to quit cigarettes, no tobacco product is safe for youth. Nicotine can harm the developing brain and lead to dependence.

    Myth: “Nicotine-free vapes are safe.”

    Fact: Some products labeled 0% nicotine have been found to contain nicotine and non-nicotine aerosols still carry ultrafine particles and toxins.

    Myth: “Only a few kids vape, and it’s not frequent.”

    Fact: In 2024, over 1.6 million students reported current use; among them, one in four vaped daily.

How parents can help

      1. Start calm, stay curious. Ask open questions: “What have you heard about vaping at school?” Avoid lectures; listen first.
      2. Focus on health and independence. Emphasize how nicotine affects focus, mood, sleep and sports – and how companies use flavors to hook kids.
      3. Set clear rules & model behavior. A family media/substance plan + consistent expectations reduce risk.
      4. Watch for signs. Sweet/fruity smells, USB-like devices, increased thirst, nosebleeds, cough or withdrawing to bathrooms more often.
      5. Partner with school. Ask about prevention programs and support – not just punishment – for students who are trying to quit.

For teens: how to quit

  • Pick a quit date and tell a friend/parent/coach.
  • Swap the habit loop. Identify triggers (boredom, stress, between classes), then replace with quick actions (water, deep breaths, short walk, fidget).
  • Use proven supports. Text-based programs improve quit rates and are private:
    • This is Quitting (Truth Initiative) – text EXPROGRAM to 88709 (teens and young adults). Evidence shows participants were 35% more likely to quit at 7 months vs. controls.
    • My Life, My Quit – free teen coaching by chat, text, or phone; sign up at MyLifeMyQuit.com
    • SmokefreeTeen (NCI) – enroll online or text QUIT to 47848; also offers the quitSTART app. (teen.smokefree.gov)
  • If you vape often, expect withdrawal. Irritability, cravings, trouble sleeping get better in days to weeks – supports above can ease the dip.
  • Consider clinical help. Talk to your Goldsboro Pediatrics’ provider about counseling; in some cases, medications can help with nicotine dependence in older teens.

When to call the doctor

Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, sharp chest pain or shoulder pain, or severe cough after vaping – especially if using THC vapes – needs immediate evaluation. Serious lung injuries, such as collapsed lung occur with vaping; don’t wait on new/worsening symptoms.

What Goldsboro Pediatrics recommends

  • Prevention first: Early, repeated conversations; clear family rules; check-ins about stress.
  • Support over punishment: If your teen is vaping, treat it as a health issue. We can create a confidential quit plan, and connect you with programs that work.
  • Talk to your doctor. We can help build a personalized quit plan and, if appropriate, explore medical options for nicotine dependence.

At Goldsboro Pediatrics, we believe prevention and support make the biggest difference. If your teen is vaping, we’ll work with you to create a safe, confidential and realistic plan to quit. Together with families and schools, we can help protect kids from the risks of nicotine addiction and keep our community healthier.

Sources:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
National Institutes of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
NEA
Truth Initiative




Back to Archive