Nicotine Info & Resource Center
Learn the truth about nicotine and how it can affect your brain, body, and overall well-being. Find trusted information, tools to stay tobacco-free, and practical resources to break free from nicotine’s grip.
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What is Nicotine?
Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical found in tobacco plants that stimulates the nervous system, affecting the brain and body. It is commonly found in cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products, and its use can lead to dependence and various health risks.
What is Nicotine Found in?
Smoked and Smokeless Tobacco Products
Smoked tobacco products include items like cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco that are burned and inhaled, exposing users to harmful chemicals.
Smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, snuff, and dissolvable nicotine products, are consumed without burning but still deliver nicotine and other harmful substances directly into the body.
Vaped Nicotine
E-cigarettes, also known as “vapes” contain nicotine derived from tobacco, but no actual tobacco at all. Instead, these devices contain a liquid form of nicotine that is heated and turned into an aerosol to be inhaled.
Vapes are also referred to by several other names, including pens, e-hookahs, mods, pods, and tanks. They come in disposable and reusable devices, depending on the brand and type of product.
Oral Nicotine
Oral nicotine refers to nicotine products that are consumed through the mouth.
These products differ from smokeless tobacco products since they have no tobacco in them. Instead, synthetic nicotine is delivered through the lining of the mouth without the need for smoking or vaping.
These products are highly potent, containing lots of nicotine, and are NOT approved for nicotine replacement therapy.
How Does Nicotine Impact Teens?
Physical Health
Vaping can negatively impact teen physical health by harming lung development, increasing the risk of respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, and potentially leading to chronic conditions like asthma. Additionally, the chemicals in e-cigarette vapor can irritate the airways and contribute to long-term cardiovascular and lung damage.
Mental Health
Vaping can also affect teen mental health by increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and mood swings due to the addictive nature of nicotine, which alters brain chemistry. Nicotine use can disrupt sleep patterns, reduce attention and concentration, and impair decision-making, which can negatively impact academic performance and overall well-being.
What Else is in Vapes & E-Cigs?
Toxin:
Volatile Compounds
Many e-cigarettes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, found in car exhaust.
Toxin:
Heavy Metals
Small particles of lead, nickel, tin, and cadmium (found in batteries) are often found in e-cigarettes.
Toxin:
Diacetyl Flavorings
a chemical added in buttery-flavored pods linked to the development of a lung disease called “popcorn lung.”
Toxin:
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a chemical used in the funeral preservation processes that can cause permanent lung damage and increase the risk of certain cancer.
Toxin:
Carcinogens
Carcinogens are chemicals that have been scientifically proven to be linked to the development of certain cancers.
Toxin:
Acrolein
Acrolein is a herbicide found in many common weed killers that can cause irreversible lung damage.
Toxin:
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is a chemical additive that is also found in some things like antifreeze and paint solvent.
Toxin:
Glycerin
Glycerin is a sticky flavor additive found in pod liquids that attracts germs to teeth, resulting in plaque accumulation, tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss.
Looking for More Information?
Check out these staff-favorite resources for teens and young adults:
Ready to Quit? Resources for You:
Want more specialized support? Connect with one of our trained professionals today.
Check Out Our Prevention Playlist
Discover more of our favorite nicotine-related resources on YouTube. Our “Nicotine Resources for Teens” playlist is a curated collection of videos from trusted sources designed to help teens just like you learn key facts to make critical choices and be tobacco free.
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