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Did You Know

Tobacco companies have successfully baited youth into using tobacco products. In 2023, about 2.8 million youth used tobacco products. This includes 12.6% of high school students and 6.6% of middle school students.

For the 10th year in a row, electronic cigarettes are the most commonly used device type among youth. Among those who currently use them, more than 1 in 4 are daily users, and almost 90% use flavored devices. Sadly, many of these users will go on to be lifetime tobacco consumers and become addicted to nicotine.

Just a spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down was a brilliant life hack for parents and healthcare professionals. The tobacco industry also picked up on this trick by using sweet and savory flavors to cover up the dangers of using tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes or vapes.

The goals of Attracting Addiction are to

Educate about the predatory practices of the tobacco industry
Increase awareness of the dangers of flavored tobacco products
Prevent youth and adults from becoming tobacco users
Support the quitting of all flavored tobacco products

Vape Products

Vaping simulates smoking. These devices, commonly known as electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, vapes, or vaping products, are nicotine-delivery devices that sometimes look like cigarettes, while others resemble common household items, such as chargers, pencils, or markers, and some have unique shapes.

Vapes or electronic cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes, but they have the same basic components: a battery, sensor, and atomizer/flavor cartridge. The e-liquid is heated in seconds and converted into an aerosol that can be inhaled by the user.

The aerosol from electronic cigarettes is not harmless water vapor. The “e-juice” that fills the cartridges usually contains nicotine, propylene glycol, flavorings, and other chemicals. Studies have found that even e-cigarettes claiming to be nicotine-free contain trace amounts of nicotine. Additionally, when the e-liquid heats up, more toxic chemicals are formed.

The aerosol can be breathed in and out by the user, creating a cloud often mistaken for vapor. Bystanders can also breathe in this aerosol when the user exhales into the air. These aerosols can contain potentially harmful substances, including nicotine, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and other chemicals known to cause cancer and other harmful health effects.