Orland, Florida – The risks of vaping may be considerably more pervasive than previously thought, according to new research.
E-cigarettes have been linked to a wide range of oral health issues by researchers at the University of Central Florida.
In the meantime, vapes are taking over middle and high schools.
14-year-old Jaylon Robinson witnessed this personally. In the seventh grade, he began vaping, which he did for one and a half years. He claims that he often used electronic cigarettes in class and that he only ever bought them from other students on campus.
He was originally interviewed by FOX 35 News shortly after quitting, when he was still struggling with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. He has now been sober for more than six months.
I’m quite proud of who I am, Robinson declared. His mother, Courtney Robinson, shares his pride.
He will soon start high school, where vaping exposure is significantly harsher.
Courtney expressed her concern for him. But I also have a lot of faith in him, she continued, because he’s been so strong and he does seem very determined to never do it again. I’m so proud of him for that.
She claimed that the risk that other children may face is what makes her afraid. She compared the idea to entering a lion’s cave.
She replied, Something like that should never be in a child’s reach. They are unaware that it’s risky. And it’s this that enrages me so much.
To purchase an electronic cigarette in Florida, you must be at least 21 years old. However, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in ten middle and high school adolescents in the US reported using e-cigarettes in the previous year.
Furthermore, recent data from the University of Central Florida is not good for those children.
That study was led by Dr. Claudia Andl, an associate professor of medicine at UCF. She claims that since vapes are so new, it is impossible to predict their long-term effects.
If this continues, worst case scenario, we may see a new cancer epidemic for oral or even lung cancer and other organs that are affected when these people are not even maybe in their thirties or their forties.
The type of oral cancer linked to smoking and using e-cigarettes is more difficult to treat than other types, according to Dr. Andl and her team.
Additionally, the sugar in the flavoured smoke breeds bad bacteria while the vapes kill off beneficial bacteria.
The negative ones oftentimes cause us to develop mouth cavities. The gums may eventually become inflamed, and when they do, tooth loss is certainly a possibility, the professor said.
Jasmine Alena, an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Angl’s group, claims to have pals who continue to vape. She claims she wants to put them off but not drive them away.
The more informed you are on a subject, the more likely you are to make a better decision for your health, Alena said. I definitely want to give them all the information possible, she added.
Flavoured vapes are prohibited in the United States. However, according to the CDC, 85% of teen vapers use flavoured products.
Jaylon had a similar experience.
“The majority of folks who I’ve observed who started vaping did so because it tastes good and is fashionable. Because they wanted nicotine in their systems, they didn’t do it, according to Jaylon.
Courtney just gets furious as more information about the risks of vaping becomes available.
She wants an outright ban on e-cigarettes because she claims the US Food and Drug Administration’s campaign against flavoured goods is ineffective.
If a child becomes addicted, he or she won’t care if the substance is flavoured or not, according to Courtney. I believe that more has to be done. There ought to be a top priority. Our future lies in this. In essence, our children who are outside are killing themselves.
But there is still hope.
Each day, according to Jaylon, he feels better. He has more energy, feels like his lungs are clearer, and is generally happy.
And he claims that if he can stop, so can you.
It is really difficult to stop, but if you really want to stop, you must speak up, no matter the consequences.
It’s crucial to position yourself for success, according to experts, if you’re trying to stop vaping.
Remove the vaporizers from your home and spend some time away from locations where you might encounter them.
Avoid stressful circumstances if you can.
Modify any past behaviours you may have connected to vaping.
Despite the fact that it will be challenging, you can accomplish it.
For those who are trying to stop smoking or vaping or who are trying to persuade others to stop, the National Cancer Institute maintains a webpage. It contains support networks that are specifically designed for young people, women, veterans, seniors, and Spanish-speaking people.
Additionally, Tobacco Free Florida offers materials to guide you through the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
