E-cigarettes and Vaping Blog

The use of e-cigarettes and vaping is becoming more popular among youth as it is easy to use, hide and is seen as “cool” to their peers. The device consists of an atomizer, a battery, and a cartridge to inhale vapour instead of smoke. Almost 1/3 of adolescence vaporize cannabis in their e-cigarettes, (Wiley Periodicals, 2015). E-cigarettes have been associated with a higher risk of injury, accidents, and mental health problems such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and low self-esteem, (Grant et al., 2019).

Borodovsky et al., (2020). Found that due to the lack of standardizing around vaping regulations, many individuals consume unregulated oils, waxes, and plant material, which include buds and flowers. These products may be filled with a filler or cutting agents that makes a fuller product when sold on the black market. Moreover, pesticides and fungicides may not be eliminated from the final product. Chemical solvents such as butane, hexane, isobutene, isopropyl alcohol, and vitamin E acetate may also be in the final product, which are dangerous. In the black market, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations can vary from 4-30 times higher than the plant material. Consumption of a large amount have caused severe pulmonary injury among youth. Research has found that the flavours added to vaping liquids are known to cause severe respiratory problems. However, more long-term research still needs to be done on this issue.

Research has found that the use of e-cigarettes and vaping has increased significantly among teenagers. They are advertised as safe, however, there is no long-term evidence and research available. In addition, the liquid in e-cigarettes impacts vascular function even if no nicotine is present. The toxins reach the alveoli of the lungs, then it is taken up by the blood vessels and disrupt vascular functioning and promote inflammation. This study found in only one session of vaping, blood flow and vascular reactivity by reduced by 17-25% and arterial stiffness, (NewsRX LLC, 2019).

Grade 4: Healthy Living - Strand D

Overall Expectations

D1. demonstrate an understanding of factors that contribute to healthy development

D2. demonstrate the ability to apply health knowledge and social-emotional learning skills to make reasoned decisions and take appropriate actions relating to their personal health and well-being

D3. demonstrate the ability to make connections that relate to health and well-being – how their choices and behaviours affect themselves and others, and how factors in the world around them affect their own and others’ health and well-being

Specific Expectations

D1.4 identify substances found in tobacco and vaping products, smoke, and describe their effects on health

D2.3 demonstrate the ability to make and support healthy, informed choices about smoking and vaping, using their understanding of factors that affect decisions about smoking and vaping and a variety of social-emotional learning

D3.2 describe the short- and long-term effects of first- and second-hand smoke and the effects of vaping

Ready-to-use Resources

Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dZS_Rniak0

The video aligns with the new 2019-2020 research emphasizing that many of the chemicals and lack of standards/unknown ingredients cause harm to the body. Many of the chemicals inside are associated or cause lung disease, leukaemia and contain metal particles inside. The video is quick, easy to watch and is full of information for students to learn, including many common and scientific terms and the implications. This can be used as a hook or introductory to the topic before we dive into the risks, effects and making informed choices by discussing the findings in the articles. By tying in the research with the resource, students can make healthy, informed choices about vaping. It is clearly stated in both that the standards are low, students can make connections on unregulated products and their well-being.

New Brain Poster: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/assets/OSH-2019-E-Cigarette-Print-Ad-508.pdf

When looking at the brain poster, it looks like a vending machine and many students know how it works. Normally, someone may pick one item at a time and continue until they are satisfied. The poster stresses the importance of staying healthy since vaping can have many implications and damage your only brain, there isn’t another brain to buy. The poster is quite meaningful, and it can be displayed on the wall/hallways as a reminder for students to decide if vaping if a choice they want to make. This relates to short-and long-term effects from vaping on the brain, including social-emotional health.

Vaping can lead to many discussion topics in the classroom revolving around mental health, physical health, peer pressure and general decision-making around substances.

References

Borodovsky, J., Cavazos-Rehg, P., Bieruit, L., & Grucza, R. (2020). Cannabis vaping and health: regulatory considerations. Society for the study of Addiction,115(3):587-588. doi: 10.1111/add.14855

Grant, J. E., Lust, K., Fridberg, D. J., King, A. C., & Chamberlain, S. R. (2019). E-cigarette use (vaping) is associated with illicit drug use, mental health problems, and impulsivity in university students. Annals of clinical psychiatry : official journal of the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists, 31(1), 27–35.

NewsRX LLC. (2019). Vaping impairs vascular function. Marketing Weekly News, 205. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A598069817/GPS?u=otta77973&sid=GPS&xid=3e01e41a

Wiley Periodicals. (2015). High school students vaping cannabis with e-cigarettes. Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, 27(36), 6. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A430842980/AONE?u=otta77973&sid=AONE&xid=ab183d01