Smoking and COVID-19 Smoking tobacco may increase the risk of serious complications from novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Now is a good time to quit for keeps. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or enroll online for free help. |
In recent years, the use of e-cigarettes and vape devices among youth in South Carolina has eclipsed the use of cigarettes. Current data show that about 1 in 5 teenagers in South Carolina currently vape.
Nicotine is Not Safe for Youth
The nicotine found in commercial tobacco products, including the majority of e-cigarettes and vapes, is highly addictive and is related to many health conditions (diabetes, heart disease, various cancers, et al.). In addition, studies show that vaping nicotine increases feelings of anxiety, causes mood swings, and interferes with concentration and focus.
In youth, 5 mg of nicotine is all that is needed to establish dependency which is equivalent to the amount of nicotine found in about 1/4 of an e-cigarette pod or cartridge.
Learn more: Youth Commercial Tobacco Use (SC Youth Tobacco Survey)
Young people use commercial tobacco products for a variety of reasons, including:
Social Norms
- Mass media show tobacco product use as a normal activity.
- Youth are more likely to use tobacco products if they see people their age using these products.
- High school athletes are more likely to use smokeless tobacco than those of the same age who are not athletes.
- Young people may be more likely to use tobacco products if a parent uses these products.
Biology
- There is evidence that youth may be sensitive to nicotine and that teens can feel dependent on nicotine sooner than adults.
- Smoking during pregnancy may increase the likelihood that the child will smoke cigarettes regularly in the future.
Mental Health
- There is a strong relationship between youth smoking and depression, anxiety, and stress.
Other Factors
- Not knowing how to say “no” to tobacco product use
- Lack of support or involvement from parents
- Accessibility, availability, and price of tobacco products
- Doing poorly in school
- Low self-image or self-esteem
- Seeing tobacco product advertising in stores, on television, the Internet, in movies, or in magazines and newspapers