Dangers of Smoking and Vaping Among Youth

What Percentage of High School Students in Colorado Smoke or Vape?

Although smoking has been on the decline for young people over the last decade, there are still those who smoke and use other tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and vape pens. Healthy Kids Colorado Survey data shows us that 3% of high schoolers are currently using cigarettes.

Fast Facts about Youth and Tobacco:

While e-cigarette aerosol generally contains fewer harmful chemicals than the deadly mix of 7,000 chemicals in smoke from cigarettes, this does not make e-cigarettes safe. The CDC reports that using nicotine during adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.

Some tobacco products can be purchased at a very low cost and come in a variety of flavors that are enticing to young people and incorrectly viewed as a “safer alternative”. The tobacco industry is constantly thinking of new products and ideas, and it is important to be aware of new products entering the market. Young people who try flavored tobacco because it seems more appealing or less dangerous than non-flavored tobacco may not intend to become regular users. However, many do because these products contain nicotine, giving youth access to addictive substances.
Vape use among young people is a growing concern as more young people become addicted to nicotine. In fact, the proportion of Douglas County students who reported using an electronic vapor product in the past 30 days (12.2%) is about four times higher than the proportion of students who reported smoking a cigarette in the past 30 days (3.3%) in 2021. The popularity and culture around vaping, as well as industry marketing tactics that target youth, are contributing to even younger generations using products that contain nicotine.
With repeated use, a young adult’s brain gets used to having nicotine. This can make them think they need nicotine just to feel okay. This is part of nicotine addiction.

Vape pen that looks exactly like a real pen

This is a vape pen disguised as a real pen that a school resource officer confiscated from a student.

Young people spend much of their time in school and on school grounds, so it is important for school administrators and staff to be knowledgeable about tobacco products and the laws and regulation around them.
School Resource Officers (SROs) in both Douglas and Elbert County schools work daily to keep schools tobacco free, as youth creatively conceal their vape devices in hopes of not being caught. Sometimes the vape disguises are as simple as making them look like other items. Students creatively make their own devices at home from materials that surround them.
Vaping devices can be disguised as candy, highlighters, hoodies, USB drives, smart watches, pens and water bottles.

Talking to the Young People in Your Life

Talking to the young people in your life about tobacco use can be difficult, but research shows that having these tough conversations can make a difference in their choices to use substances. Connecting with the young people in your life to discuss these topics, whether you’re a family member, teacher, coach, or anyone else with a meaningful relationship with a young person, can influence their decision to make a healthier choice. We offer free Quit-Kits for any community member looking to quit vaping or smoking.

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Dangers of Smoking and Vaping Among Youth

What Percentage of High School Students in Colorado Smoke or Vape?

Fast Facts about Youth and Tobacco:

Tobacco Free Schools: Is it a highlighter, or a vape pen?

Talking to the Young People in Your Life

Visit our other pages:

Preventing Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco Use

Protecting Your Clean Air

Support for Quitting Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco