Youth want to quit vaping—new Vape Facts campaign offers support

Youth want to quit vaping—new Vape Facts campaign offers support

Youth vaping has been on the rise in York Region, especially among high school students and those who do vape have expressed a desire to quit.

Quitting vaping can be difficult.

York Region Public Health has launched the third phase of its successful Vape Facts campaign across multiple channels, once again targeting youth aged 12 to 17. Along with raising awareness of the health risks associated with youth vaping, this third phase of the campaign focuses on the tools and supports that youth can use to help them to make their choice and “ghost the vape for good.”

For youth, vaping is not harmless and actually has short and long-term health risks:

• Most e-liquids used in vaping contain high levels of addictive nicotine, with some 2 mL vapes containing as much as two packs of cigarettes
• Studies have shown that nicotine addiction is stronger when vaping or smoking is started at a young age
• Vaping nicotine can alter youth brain development, affecting learning, memory and concentration
• Vaping nicotine exposes youth to increased levels of stress hormones worsening feelings of stress, anxiety and depression
• The lungs of youth are also still developing, and vaping can expose youth to toxic chemicals
• Young people who use vapes and e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future
• The long-term safety of inhaling the substances in vaping products is unknown
• Youth want to quit and quit supports for youth are available

Learn more about Vape Facts campaign, the health effects of youth vaping and available supports at york.ca/VapeFacts