What is Tobacco?
Tobacco is a plant that contains the addictive ingredient nicotine. Nicotine is very addictive and is found in tobacco products such as cigarettes, chew and vapes.
Why is it bad for me?
Nicotine in tobacco is harmful due to its addictive nature, but there are chemicals in tobacco that also make it harmful. Tobacco use increases the risk of developing lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease, stroke, heart attack, amongst others.
What about vapes?
- E-cigarettes are known by many different names. They are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” “tank systems,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).”
- Using an e-cigarette is sometimes called “vaping.” | Source
- Since e-cigarettes such as puff bar and juul are newer products, there haven’t been enough studies to know the full effects of using them on the human body. E-cigarettes contain nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco and unfortunately many people don’t realize this.
What is the bottom line about vapes?
- E-cigarettes are only potentially helpful to adults who already smoke if the individual is not pregnant and uses the e-cigarettes as a total substitute for cigarettes
- E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant adults, as well as adults who do not currently use tobacco products.
- While e-cigarettes have the potential to benefit some people and harm others, scientists still have a lot to learn about whether e-cigarettes are effective in helping adults quit smoking.
- If you’ve never smoked or used other tobacco products or e-cigarettes, don’t start.
- Additional research can help understand long-term health effects.
What is in my vape?
- Volatile organic compounds
- Nicotine
- Ultrafine particles
- Cancer-causing chemicals
- Heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead
- Flavoring such as Diacetyl–a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
How common is tobacco use at Boise State?
- 36.3% of Boise State students surveyed in 2022 reported ever using tobacco or nicotine delivery products including cigarettes, Juul or other vape products, water pipe or hookah, chewing tobacco, cigars, etc.
- 19.6% of Boise State students surveyed in 2022 reported using tobacco products in past 3 months.
This is Quitting
The first-of-its-kind program to help young people quit vaping, This is Quitting has helped nearly 500,000 youth and young adults on their journey to quit vaping. Learn more about how it works and the additional resources available for parents of young vapers and for adults who want to quit.
Teens and young adults can join for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709