Tobacco and Nicotine Myths – Busted

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As students return to school this fall, it’s important for families and educators to remind the young people in their life about the realities of tobacco and nicotine use. With persistent misinformation about these products circulating, especially on social media, many teens and parents are left wondering: Is vaping really safer than smoking? What’s actually inside a vape pen? And how are young people engaging with these products today? Here, the American Heart Association-Alaska helps bust some common myths with science-backed facts.

 

 

Myth #1: “Vaping is just flavored water vapor. It’s harmless.”

Fact: Vape pens, or e-cigarettes, are far from harmless. These devices heat a liquid, commonly called “e-liquid” or “vape juice,” to create an aerosol that users inhale. These liquids contain chemicals including things like nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavoring agents, and heavy metals like nickel and lead, substances you don’t want in your body.

 

According to the American Heart Association, nicotine is not only highly addictive, but it also raises blood pressure, spikes adrenaline and increases the risk of heart disease. The aerosol can also irritate the lungs and may contain cancer-causing chemicals.

 

Myth #2: “Vaping helps people quit smoking.”

Fact: While some adults turn to vaping as a smoking cessation tool, there is limited long-term data on the safety and effectiveness of vaping as a smoking cessation aid. If you are trying to quit smoking or support someone in their desire to stop, the American Heart Association recommends only FDA-approved cessation methods like nicotine patches, gum and behavioral therapy. Smoking remains the top preventable cause of disease and death in Alaska, so it’s best to not start the habit in any form.

 

Myth #3: “Kids aren’t really into tobacco anymore.”

Fact: While traditional cigarette and e-cigarette use has declined among high-school-age young people, vaping has increased in middle school children and remains a public health concern in youth. In 2023, more than 2.1 million middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes.

 

In Alaska, 22.9 percent of high school students currently use some form of tobacco or nicotine product. That’s about 1 in 4 students. E-cigarettes are the most commonly used, according to the Alaska Department of Health. Nicotine use during adolescence can alter brain development, making preventing youth from forming these habits essential in protecting their long-term health and well-being.

 

Myth #4: “Nicotine pouches are safe because they don’t contain tobacco or produce smoke.”

Fact: While nicotine pouches are marketed as “tobacco-free” and smokeless, they still deliver nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance that can harm the developing brain, raise blood pressure, and increase the risk of heart disease. These products are often flavored and discreet, making them especially appealing to youth.

 

Between 2022 and 2023, youth use of nicotine pouches increased by 36 percent, and their popularity continues to rise among young adults. They are a serious health concern, just like cigarettes and vapes.

 

What can parents do?

• Start the conversation early. Talk openly about the risks of tobacco and nicotine products. Lead by example. If you smoke or vape, consider quitting.

 

• Create a tobacco- and nicotine-free environment. Make your home and car substance-free zones. Stay informed. Visit heart.org for resources, quit plans and the latest research.

 

• Make your voice heard. Sign up as an advocate to support the American Heart Association’s work around tobacco and smoking policy in Alaska at HeartPowered.org.

 

The bottom line

There’s no such thing as a “safe” tobacco or nicotine product. Whether it’s a cigarette, vape pen, hookah or pouch, these products carry real health risks, especially for young people. Let’s bust the myths and protect the hearts and futures of Alaska’s youth.

 

Source: American Heart Association-Alaska