With the rise of e-cigarettes over the past 15 years, teens have become more accustomed to smoking e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. Local advertisements are a key driver of teen use, as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that 7 out of 10 teens are exposed to e-cigarette ads. Since e-cigarette companies don’t have to report their ingredients, our teens may be receiving more nicotine than they think. In fact, recent studies show that 66% of teens believe there’s just flavoring in their e-cigarettes; the unfortunate reality, however, is that there’s more than that – and it may be prepping our teens to start smoking traditional cigarettes, too.
A 2017 study published in the journal Pediatrics found that e-cigarette usage is an over 30% of high school teens, compared to the single digit numbers that were displayed a few years ago. The authors of the study noted that teens are at an increased risk of vulnerability for traditional cigarette use if the following occur:
- Risk-taking
- Impulsiveness
- Negative affect
- Low parental support
- Surrounding oneself with peers who tend to get into trouble
- E-cigarette use
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine conducted a national sample of 694 adolescent participants ages 16 to 26 years old to explore just what makes one person more susceptible to traditional cigarette use over another. After a year of follow up with these participants, they found that 11 of 16 e-cigarette users had eventually moved to traditional cigarettes; so far, evidence is showing that e-cigarettes aren’t as harmless as they’re made out to be.
If your teen is struggling with substance abuse, speak with someone from the Adolescent Recovery of Cumberland Heights center today. Recovery is right around the corner – be sure they seek help as soon as possible.
Adolescent Recovery of Cumberland Heights (ARCH) originally began in 1985 when there were few other adolescent programs like it in the country. In 2019, we’re expanding our continuum of services with ARCH Academy, a unique program that offers 60 days to 6 months of residential care to adolescent boys ages 14-18 who are struggling with alcohol and/or drug addiction. This new program stems from Cumberland Heights, which has been around since 1966, and is located in Kingston Springs, Tennessee. The adolescent age is a critical time for development, making this a crucial time of positive influence. For more information, call us today at 1-800-646-9998.
