According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, “Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which is produced by an e-cigarette or similar device.” The term is used because e-cigarettes do not produce tobacco smoke, but rather an aerosol, often mistaken for water vapor, that actually consists of fine particles. Many of these particles contain varying amounts of toxic chemicals, which have been linked to cancer, as well as respiratory and heart disease.
The term vaping is commonly used in reference to the usage of nicotine by teens, but adults will often use the same terminology to reference the act of vaping marijuana. Adolescents, generally, refer to vaping marijuana as “dabbing” or other slang terminology. Both utilize electronic delivery devices to achieve a euphoric experience.
Vaping has grown in popularity with the rise of e-cigarettes, which were introduced to the mass market in the U.S. in 2007. Vaping devices include not just e-cigarettes, but also vape pens and advanced personal vaporizers (also known as ‘MODS’). E-cigarettes, which resemble smoked cigarettes, and vape pens, which resemble large fountain pens, are typically simpler in design and less expensive than devices that have been customized by the user.
Generally a vaping device consists of a mouthpiece, a battery, a cartridge for containing the e-liquid or e-juice, and a heating component for the device that is powered by a battery. When the device is used, the battery heats up the heating component, which turns the contents of the e-liquid into an aerosol that is inhaled into the lungs and then exhaled.
The e-liquid in vaporizer products usually contains a propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin-based liquid with nicotine, flavoring and other chemicals and metals, but not tobacco. Some people use these devices to vape THC, the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's mind-altering effects, or even synthetic drugs like flakka, instead of nicotine.
The health risks and benefits of using these relatively new devices are still being evaluated. However, there is a growing body of evidence indicating that the chemicals in these products may be dangerous. Health advocates are recommending caution in using them and calling for additional research into their potential risks versus benefits.
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Fairfax County Health Department: Helping Kids Stay Vape Free
Surgeon General Tip Sheet: Know the Risks, E-Cigarettes & Young People
Partner for Drug-Free kids: The Teen Vaping Trend – What Parents Need to Know
Stanford Medicine Tobacco Prevention Tool Kit: E Cigarettes and Vape Pens
Virginia Department of Health Recommendations Regarding Cigarettes and Vaping
Electronic Cigarettes - What's the bottom line?
For additional questions, please contact Fairfax County Public School’s Student Safety and Wellness Office at 571-423-4270.
Nicotine addiction, severe lung illness, and deaths have been reported–vaping is risky behavior!
Información y recursos para padres sobre los riesgos a la salud asociados con el vaporeo.
The Family Resource Center has a listing of digital resources to help families and educators support student success.
FCPS offers activities and learning experiences which focus on the many ways cannabis, alcohol, nicotine/vaping, and other drug use can impact student lives.
An educational webinar on youth substance use trends and supports. This page includes a text-only outline of the presentation slides and PDFs of the presentation slides in the following languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese).
Expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable and supportive school environment.