Imagine, for a moment, that you are a parent (or perhaps you actually are) who has just found out their child has been diagnosed with popcorn lung. At first, you might be thinking, how did this happen in the first place? How did my child contract an illness that (in all actuality) is rooted in a chemical used to treat manufactured popcorn? That sounds ludicrous, doesn’t it? In a disturbing twist, however, teens falling victim to breathing problems is nothing new, particularly with the new trend of teens and e-cigarette vaping. Ever since this “safer” cigarette arrived on the market, you can probably imagine how excited addicts and experimental users were once the news was released. After all, what is better than a tobacco-free cigarette? The short answer is “nothing.” So how can you prevent your teen from contracting breathing problems or (in the worst case scenario) cancer? Let’s take a closer look at how you can keep your teens up to speed about the dangers of vaping.
More Than You Bargained For
Chances are if your teen has voiced curiosity about these tools, they are under the impression that e-cigarettes are completely safe, and they would not be alone. In fact, 73% of teenagers wholeheartedly believe that e-cigs are great alternatives to tobacco cigarettes. Sure, these tools do not produce harmful secondhand smoke, but e-cigarette cartridges contain dangerous substances that can be just as deadly (if not deadlier) than tobacco.
Here are some chemicals found in e-cigarettes:
- Acrylamide: used to treat sewage and wastewater
- Acrylonitrile: used in the production of plastics and adhesives
- Crotonaldehyde: flammable chemical with an overwhelming odor
- Diacetyl: a buttery-flavored chemical (used in popcorn manufacturing) linked to popcorn lung
- Formaldehyde: a noxious gas linked to cancer
- Propylene oxide: can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, throat, and lungs and depresses the central nervous system
Keeping It Real
So, what is the best way to educate your teens about e-cigs? Always keep things real. Make sure you inform your kids about the dangers of these seemingly harmless tools and do not shy away from important details. For example, some devices are shaped like flash drives or thumb drives and can easily be concealed in computer bags, purses, or jean pockets. Introduce them to the Real Cost Campaign sponsored by the FDA to let them know, firsthand, about the national concern for these devices.
Always remember that nicotine and other mind-altering chemicals do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.
