15% of Non-Hispanic American Indian and
Alaska Native students use e-cigarettes
Source: CDC3
Concealable. Flavored. And Dangerous.
Vaping and electronic cigarette usage has skyrocketed since the products were first introduced in the U.S. in 20071, especially among young people. In 2023, the CDC reported2 that more than 15 percent of Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native middle and high school students use e-cigarettes.
What are Electronic Cigarettes?
E-Cigarettes are one of many Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems4 (ENDS). These battery-powered devices heat a liquid to create an aerosol – or vapor. Users then inhale the aerosol. Using an e-cigarette is also known as “vaping,” and the products may include e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, e-cigars, and vape pens.
According to the CDC, most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, in addition to other harmful substances and cancer-causing chemicals. In addition, vaping can cause irreversible lung damage and lead to lifelong nicotine addiction. While the FDA5 regulates tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, they are not safe to use.
Getting – or Staying – Vape-Free
If you use tobacco or e-cigarettes, quit.
Establish a tobacco-free home – including your vehicles.
Stay away from environments where you know smoking and vaping is allowed.
Don’t shy away from talking about tobacco use and vaping with family and friends.
Home environments play a large role in prevention. Teens are more likely to start6 using tobacco or e-cigarettes if they see friends and family engaging in these addictions.
Resources
- The Rise of E-cigarettes: How the Vaping Epidemic Impacts Indigenous Health & Culture | Native News Online
- Tribal Sovereignty and E-Cigarette Companies | ANRF
- E-Cigarette Use Among Youth | CDC
- About Electronic Cigarettes | CDC
- What Do We Know About E-cigarettes? | American Cancer Society
- CDC Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- For Young People: Text DITCHVAPE to 88709
- For Families Helping Young People: Text QUIT to 202-899-7550
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023954/#:~:text=Electronic%20cigarettes%20are%20battery%2Doperated,to%20help%20patients%20quit%20smoking.
- https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/youth.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/youth.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html
- https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/products-ingredients-components/e-cigarettes-vapes-and-other-electronic-nicotine-delivery-systems-ends
- https://www.fda.gov/news-events/rumor-control/facts-about-e-cigarettes#:~:text=The%20FDA%20regulates%20the%20manufacture,any%20source%2C%20including%20synthetic%20nicotine.
- https://digitalmedia.hhs.gov/tobacco/educator_hub/vaping_101/tips_for_staying_vape_free?locale=en
