Vaping

&

Nicotine

David A. Fialko, BS, ICPS, CTTS

Certified Prevention Specialist

The Council Southeast PA, Inc.

Dfialko@councilsepa.org

This project funded by Health Promotion Council and PA Department of Health

• A toxic colorless or yellowish oily liquid that is

the chief active constituent of tobacco.

• It acts as a stimulant in small doses

• In larger amounts can kill a human.

• Nicotine is also used in insecticides.

What is Nicotine?

Nicotine is a fast-acting drug reaching the

brain within 10-15 seconds of being inhaled

What is Nicotine?

How Does Nicotine

Work?

• Immediately after exposure to nicotine, there is a "kick"

caused by the drug’s stimulation of the adrenal gland

• resulting discharge of epinephrine (adrenaline).

• The rush of adrenaline stimulates the body and

causes an increase in blood pressure, respiration, and

heart rate.

• Like other drugs, nicotine also activates reward

pathways in the brain—circuitry that regulates

reinforcement and feelings of pleasure

• Nicotine raises pulse & heart rate.

Brain tests same as when people

are agitated.

• Nicotine cravings occur frequently

within 15 to 30 minutes after last

vape / cig

• Strong cravings will begin about

every 2 hours.

• Students who smoke may have

more challenges learning and

trouble concentrating due to

withdrawal symptoms.

Effect of Nicotine

on Learning

• Nicotine actually contributes to problems;

withdrawal causes stress, anxiety.

• Youth report withdrawal symptoms with lower

amount of nicotine use than adults, even as low

as 5 cigarettes per week.

Effect of Nicotine

on Learning

How much Nicotine?

What is Vaping?

Aerosol• Formaldehyde (Carcinogen)

• The higher the voltage, the higher the levels

• Diacetyl

• In flavors such as bubble gum and other popular flavors

• Causes scaring of lung tissue

• Heavy metals

• Manganese

• Particle matter

• All of these can get stuck in the deepest parts of your lungs.

Why do MS & HS

Students Vape?

• “Because school is boring and it is an

escape!”

• “Snap Chat”

• “It gives me a head rush & buzz”

• “It’s something to do”

• “All of my friends are doing it”

Vaping

➢E-cigarettes

➢Vape pens

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. ©

E-CIGSENDS

(Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems)

• E-Cigs have fewer chemicals than cigarettes but

some of the same toxins

• All E-Cigs deliver nicotine in an aerosol form

– Tests have found the aerosol can contain higher levels of

metals than tobacco (nickel, tin and lead)

E-Cigs

&

Future Health

• There are currently Aprox more than 3 million

middle and high school students who vape.

– To put that into perspective, you could fill each seat

in every NFL stadium and NBA arena

• While still having enough students to fill Penn State's

stadium, twice.

• Imagine what the future will look like for this

generation if there comes a day when we learn

that there are side effects from vaping.

Zero Nicotine

E-Liquid• E-juice contains glycerin and/or propylene glycol, natural and/or

artificial flavors, and then likely distilled water and/or alcohol.

• Some may contain preservatives like citric acid and food coloring.

• Others may contain more ingredients, which should make you wary.

Hash / Marijuana

E-Liquid

• Hash Oil : Several types

– BHO: Butane extraction

• Heavy metals &

pesticide

concentrates.

• Neurotoxic

–Brain lesions

– NHO: Naphtha

extraction

• benzene, hexane

–Cancer hazards

E-Cigarette Explosions

❑ Jan. 2016 - 16-year-old Ty Greer in Alberta, Canada, suffered second degree burns and broken teeth

after his e-cigarette spontaneously exploded inches from his mouth while he was using it in his car.

❑ Feb. 2016 - “Third degree burns all up and down my leg. Just had an Ecig battery blow up and catch

fire inside my pocket! Ouch ow ow ow,” Josh Hamilton of Owensboro, KY posted on Facebook.”

An e-cigarette battery exploded in his pocket at a gas station convenience store.

❑ April 2016 – 14 year old, Lior Domitov, has been blinded in one eye and potentially faces permanent

damage to his hands after trying out an e-cigarette at a vaping kiosk in Brooklyn’s Kings Plaza Mall

when it exploded in his hands and face.

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. (c)

Explosion Incidents

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. (c)

U.S. Fire Administration Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions in the United States 2009-2016

Between

2009 – 2016:

➢195 e-cig fire &

explosion incidents

➢133 critical injuries

reported

➢1 death

Bottom Line on ENDS

• Vaping involves inhaling an aerosol, not pure water

vapor, which poses risks.

• More research is needed on the risks of e-cigarettes

as well as short and long-term effects.

• If we can avoid any factors which might be

unhealthy, we should avoid them!

• Nicotine is an addictive drug that affects youth

brain development and increases risk of addiction to

alcohol and other drugs.

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. (c)

Most Adult Smokers

Want to Quit

❑ 3 out of 4 smokers want to quit

❑ Most have made at least one

quit attempt

❑ The average smoker makes 6-8

quit attempts before succeeding!

Quitting Resources

• Free Quitline

1-800-QUIT-NOW

• www.quitnet.com

• www.determinedtoquit.com

• Quit smoking classes

available

Questions

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. (c)

Free, confidential and anonymous Drug & Alcohol

Information, Referral & Recovery Support Line:

1-800-221-6333(Mon-Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm)

www.councilsepa.org