E-cigarettes are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “vapes,” “e-hookahs,” “vape pens,” and “electronic smoking devices (ESDs).” E-cigarettes produce an aerosol (vapor) by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine—the addictive drug in regular cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products—flavorings, and other chemicals. Users inhale this vapor into their lungs. Bystanders can also breathe in this vapor when the user exhales into the air. Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens, and other everyday items. Learn more about the health effects of e-cigarettes, what is in e-cigarette aerosol and answers to other common questions!
Severe Lung Illness Associated with E-Cigarettes and Vaping
CDC Recommendations – E-cigarette Use
- Youth and young adults should not use e-cigarette products.
- Women who are pregnant should not use e-cigarette products.
- Adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not start using e-cigarette products.
- If you do use e-cigarette products, you should not buy these products off the street (for example, e-cigarette products with THC or other cannabinoids).
- You should not modify e-cigarette products or add any substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer.
- Adult smokers who are attempting to quit should use evidence-based treatments, including counseling and FDA-approved medications. If you need help quitting tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, contact your medical provider or local health department.
Youth & E-cigarettes
According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), use of e-cigarettes by high school students in St. Mary’s has increased from 2014 to 2016*. However, the percentage of students currently using electronic vapor products (at least 1 day during the month prior to the survey) has decreased from 25.9% to 19%.
What remains an issue is the vast amount of flavoring options available to youth. 95.9% of high school students who reported using electronic vapor products used a kind of flavoring other than tobacco. There are over 7,000+ different types of flavoring options currently available. Combined, 15% of middle and high school students in St. Mary’s county currently use an electronic vapor product. St. Mary’s County Health Department works to educate youth in the hopes of decreasing use rates of these products. For key resources on e-cigarettes, vaping and addressing these topics with young people, visit the Maryland Department of Health’s website.
*2016 is the most recent data available, learn more at www.smchd.org/data
Local Action to Address Youth E-cigarette Use
SMCHD works closely with key partners and community members to reduce tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke and vaping through the Tobacco Free Living (TFL) action team of the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership (HSMP). In 2018, a TFL Junior Team was established as a club at Great Mills High School. Club members combat the use of e-cigarettes among youth through peer-to-peer prevention work and advocacy. In February 2019, club members testified in Annapolis in favor of proposed Tobacco 21 legislation. In June 2019, they successfully completed training through Stanford University to become peer educators with the goal of educating elementary and middle school students next school year on the dangers of vape and tobacco products and of changing the culture in schools around vaping.
Vape Awareness posters developed by local students through a partnership with the Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center, St. Mary’s County Public Schools. Images may be used — without alteration and retaining credit information to the student artists.
SMCHD also works with local law enforcement to address e-cigarette use among youth. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office conducts retailer compliance checks, including vape lounges, to ensure that electronic vapor products are not sold to minors.
Additional Resources:
- SMCHD | Local Help to Quit Tobacco
- SMCPS | School Health Council
- American Lung Association | E-cigarettes and Lung Health
- Be Vape Free | CATCH My Breath
- CDC | E-cigarette Use Among Working Adults
- CDC | Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults
- FDA | Vaping Prevention and Resources Center
- FDA | Lung Illnesses Associated with Use of Vaping Products
- FDA | Youth and Tobacco
- Scholastic | The Real Cost of Vaping (for educators)
- Surgeon General | Know the Risks – E-cigarettes and Young People
- The Truth Initiative | Inspiring Tobacco-Free Lives
- UMD | E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General (2016)
**Disclaimer: Use of VapeAware Images/Campaign Materials**
The information presented on this page is in the public domain. This means it may be freely distributed and copied — but please include a link to our website and acknowledge St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) as the source. VapeAware images and campaign materials should not be altered or used to misrepresent SMCHD or to imply that our agency endorses any commercial or private product, service, or activity.