E-Cigarettes

 

Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-operated devices that produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings and other additives.  E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes, but usually have four main components: a power source (battery), a heating element (atomizer), a cartridge to hold the liquid solution, and a mouthpiece. E-cigarettes are also known by some other names such as e-cigs, e-hookahs, JUUL, mods, Suorin, vape pens, vapes, tank system and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).¹

What is JUUL?

JUUL is a new type of e-cigarette that is shaped like a USB flash drive.  JUUL comes in a variety of flavors such as mint and mango and has become a popular device for young people.  Although the device has a small design, one JUUL pod is equivalent to a pack of cigarettes or 200 puffs.²

What is Suorin?

Suorin is another new type of e-cigarette that is in the shape of a drop and fits easily in the palm of the hand.  The device can be refilled with nicotine liquid and like other e-cigarette devices the liquid comes in many flavors. It can be recharged using a USB charging port and is popular among youth and young adults.

Are e-cigarettes less harmful than regular cigarettes?

The FDA has not approved e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking.  Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, cancer-causing chemicals and heavy metals like lead that are harmful to the lungs.³  Although e-cigarettes contain fewer toxins than regular cigarettes, e-cigarette users are exposed to toxic substances and can become addicted to nicotine.⁴

More research is needed to understand the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes.   However, using e-cigarettes can cause short-term health effects such as nicotine dependence and can affect the brain development of youth and also affect developing fetuses.  Nicotine is addictive and harmful for youth.  Youth should not use e-cigarettes.  For more information on youth and e-cigarette use visit Know The Risks.

Resources

• The Nevada Tobacco Quitline is a telephone service for any Nevada resident who is ready to quit using nicotine, including e-cigarettes.  For more information see our Get Help Quitting page.
• A resource for schools to provide e-cigarette prevention messaging to middle and high school students is available with the CATCH My Breath program.  Schools can learn more and find out how to enroll by visiting the CATCH My Breath website.  

References

_{1.  National Institute on Drug Abuse. Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes). Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes}  

_{2.  Truth Initiative. What is Juul? Retrieved from https://truthinitiative.org/news/what-is-juul}

_{3.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Electronic Cigarettes. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/index.htm}

_{4.  The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. (2018). Public Health Consequence of E-Cigarettes. Retrieved from http://nationalacademies.org/hmd/reports/2018/public-health-consequences-of-e-cigarettes.aspx}  

 

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