HEALTH PROMOTION & ADVOCACY CENTER Juuls, Vapes, and E-Cigs Everything You Need to Know

More than 20% of high school seniors report vaping regularly or occasionally

The Risks of Juuling Many of the of the long-term consequences of Juuls, e-cigarettes, People who vape and vapes are unknown. A study at Johns Hopkins found some e- are more than 4x more likely to start cigarettes contain potentially toxic levels of lead, chromium and smoking nickel- in addition to nicotine absorbed at inhalation. cigarettes! Nicotine is a neurotoxin which can permanently alter brain structure in users under the age of 26, and has consequential cardiovascular affects.

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59 MG 92% 2.8 MILLION There are over 15,500 completely The concentration of of vaporizer products The number of adults unregulated flavor nicotine per mL in devices contain diacetyl, a 18-24 in the United States options for e- like Juul- far more than in flavoring linked to severe who vape cigarettes/vapes cigarettes respiratory infection

Primack, A.B., et al. “Initation of traditional cigarette smoking after electronic cigarette use” American Journal of Medicine (2017) Stanford University, “Tobacco Prevention Toolkit,” (2018) Rule, A.M., et al. “Metal concentrations in e-cigarette liquid and aerosol 1 samples” Environmental Health Perspectives (2018) HEALTH PROMOTION & ADVOCACY CENTER

Nicotine In The Body A stimulant, nicotine is an extremely addictive drug which alters the pleasure pathway of the brain.

The human brain can develop such a strong dependence on the drug that a user may no longer control their desire or smoking behaviors- especially problematic with subtle and more easily concealed devices such as Juul. The flavorings of e-cigarettes may mask the harsh flavor of nicotine, but the stimulant is still There is no safe level present- and these flavorings pose their own risks. of nicotine exposure.

Mango, Cherry, Mint… The United States Surgeon General has determined that tobacco use in any form, active The various flavors of e-cigarettes and vapes or passive, is a significant health hazard for have been a successful marketing tool allowing which there is no safe level of exposure. users to consume nicotine without the harsh taste of cigarettes, but many flavors have been Thirdhand smoke- when chemicals in vapor and shown to be compositionally toxic. Cinnamon, aerosol released from vapes and e-cigarettes cherry, and mango flavors (amongst others) all remains after the user is gone- can expose contain cytotoxic compounds which can cause people and pets to the same harmful chemicals popcorn lung, an irreversible respiratory disease through ingestion and skin exposure. The causing scarring and constriction in the lungs. cytotoxic chemicals which make respiration taste so good can pose further risks upon ingestion.

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY’S TOBACCO AND SMOKE-FREE POLICY American University prohibits the use of tobacco products and medical marijuana on any property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled or operated by the university. It is the policy of American University to achieve an environment which is smoke- and tobacco- free. Faculty, staff, and students who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action.

Tobacco is defined as all tobacco-derived or containing products including but not limited to: cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, hookah-smoked products, and oral tobacco.

Truth Initiative, “Six important facts about Juul” (2018) Stanford University, Division of Adolescent Medicine, “Tobacco Prevention Tooklit,” (2018) U.S. Public Health Service, Office of the Surgeon General “Know the 2 Risks” (2019)