Dangers of vaping explained in presentation

Thompson Falls High School and junior high students received an education in the dangers of vaping from Dr. Beth Dominicis, the state Office of Public Instruction's (OPI) health care provider. She presents Tobacco Use Prevention Education assemblies around the state of Montana to junior high and high school students.

"Knowledge is power. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding vaping and smoking," Dominicis told the students. Nicotine use is the cause of 480,000 deaths a year. But Dr. Dominicis showed how the percentages of cigarette smokers decreased from 38% in 1997 to 7% in 2021. The reason, she said, is because vaping became popular in Montana in 2017 and people are becoming more aware of the dangers of cigarette smoking. Knowledge of lung and body cancers and the affected immune system that kills 50% of users has had an impact on Montana's youth.

"E-cigarettes were first designed in China in 2015 to help smokers stop smoking," she said. Today 26% of Montana's high school students vape. "Seventy four percent do not vape because knowledge is power," she said.

Dominicis said there are three things to remember about vaping. Nicotine is an addictive chemical especially to a young person's brain that can cause many issues including depression. "Our brains do not fully develop until age 25," she said. " Second, vapes are not made of harmless water vapor. Third, safer does not mean safe, when comparing vaping to cigarette smoking."

Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical that impacts the brain development, decreases impulse control, causes cravings and slows concentration. Nicotine messes with the limbic system and creates anxiety.

E-cigarettes are not a harmless water vapor; they are an aerosol made of benzene that is found in car exhaust, and other chemical flavorings that cause residue inside the lungs. They contain heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead. They contain cancer causing chemicals such as formaldehyde and nitrosamines and flavors of diacetyl chemical that is linked to serious lung disease. "Lungs don't know how to handle the chemical flavorings. They cause mood swings, headaches and anger," Dominicis explained. Nicotine poisoning causes a lack of muscle control, increased heart rate, shock and paralysis. It is known to cause eye issues, head issues, abdominal pain, breathing and serious heart problems along with muscle spasms, coordination and balance problems. "Drinking liquid from a vape can kill a child or pet," she said. The batteries in e-cigarettes can explode and are not allowed on airplanes. E-cigarettes create plastic, electronic hazardous waste materials.

Safer does not mean safe. E-juice is toxic. It is a very strong nicotine that is highly volatile. Big tobacco companies target kids with 15,000 flavors that are used and liked the best by youth, Dominicis explained. Social media is used to entice users. YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat provide the platform for false positive strategies from companies wanting to lure young users in. "They have slogans such as safe, healthy, independence, natural, cool, and fun," Dominicis said. Daily use of e-cigarettes doubles the risk of heart attack. "Vapes are made with genetically modified tobacco plants in a lab to produce more addictive nicotine. They have different potencies than naturally grown tobacco cigarettes," she added. Youth who vape are four times more likely to smoke cigarettes as adults.

Dominicis told the story of Luka Kinard from North Carolina, who spent 39 days in a rehab treatment center for severe vaping addiction at the age of 16. He has been to Montana to talk to students about the dangers of vaping. He encourages anyone who needs help quitting to visit My Life My Quit. It is a program geared specifically for youth who want help quitting all tobacco products including e-cigarettes.

"The Federal Court of Appeals has ordered R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and Philip Morris USA to state on their packaging, 'Smoking kills, on average, 1,200 Americans every day,'" according to the chart provided by Dominicis. The Juul company has had 4,000 lawsuits and currently pays $462 million to six different states, including Montana, which receives $6 million annually.

Dominicis said the annual React Summit Coalition in Helena at Carroll College is a fun way to help educate people about tobacco use. "It will take place on June 12-14 and is free, with dorms and food. This year's theme is medieval with games included. Unleash your inner knight," she said.

For help with quitting tobacco, Dominicis said to text DITCH VAPE to 88709, or MY LIFE MY QUIT to 36072. Also, visit mylifequit.com, or call 1-855-891-9989.