 By Erica Vogt, ITC Program Coordinator
If you’re a parent trying to make sense of vaping, especially how it compares to the cigarettes many of us remember from years ago, you’re not alone. We often hear questions about “cigarettes vs. vapes” and the short answer is vapes and cigarettes are different, but today’s vaping products come with serious risks, especially for young people. Here’s what’s important to know right now. Vapes Aren’t “Safer”, They’re Built to Deliver Nicotine More Efficiently Many people assume that because vapes don’t create smoke, they must be less harmful. But the big difference isn’t the smoke, it’s the delivery system. Modern vapes use “nicotine salts,” which make it easier to inhale high levels of nicotine without the harsh burn you get from cigarettes. Some popular devices contain as much nicotine as a whole pack of cigarettes, and because they feel smooth and subtle, teens may use them far more frequently. That combination - high nicotine plus easy inhalation - makes vaping just as addictive, if not more so, than traditional smoking for young people. Younger Kids Get Hooked Faster One of the biggest concerns we see is how quickly teens, especially kids as young as 12 or 13, can become addicted to nicotine. Their brains are still developing the systems that regulate attention, emotion, and decision-making, which makes them more sensitive to nicotine than adults. So when a teen tries vaping “just once,” that early exposure can create strong nicotine pathways in the brain and lead to dependence faster than they expect. Vaping Is Easy to Hide - and That’s Part of the Problem Another reason vaping has spread so quickly among middle and high school students is how discreet it is. Nicotine doesn’t cause the obvious intoxication you’d see with alcohol or cannabis. Many vape products also don’t leave a strong or lasting smell. Fruity or minty scents can pass for lotion, gum, or a candle, and some devices produce very little visible vapor at all. The devices themselves are also designed to blend in. Some look like USB drives, highlighters, pens, or key fobs. Youth can easily tuck them into a pocket, backpack, or drawer without raising suspicion. That’s why it’s easy for vape use to go unnoticed unless parents know what to look for. Our Hidden in Plain Sight program is a great resource if you’re wondering what clues to pay attention to. We walk parents through how vaping devices can blend into everyday items in a teen’s room. Flavors Make Vaping Easy to Start and Hard to Stop Flavors are one of the biggest reasons teens try vaping in the first place. Fruity, candy, mint, and dessert flavors mask the natural bitterness of nicotine and make the experience feel more fun and less risky. National surveys show that most young people who vape started with flavored products. These flavors aren’t designed for adults trying to quit smoking, they’re engineered to draw in younger users and keep them coming back. How Parents Can Stay Ahead You don’t need to be an expert to support your teen, you just need solid information and an open line of communication. Our Kitchen Table Conversations Prevent Youth Substance Misuse page gives you simple scripts and practical tips to help you start these conversations without fear or judgment. The Bottom Line Vaping isn’t harmless, and it isn’t “just flavored vapor.” It’s a highly addictive nicotine product that’s easy to start, easy to hide, and tough to quit - especially for developing brains. Staying informed helps you protect your teen and stay connected through the challenges of adolescence. If you have any questions or would like to schedule Influence the Choice to hold a Hidden in Plain Sight program for your school or community organization, please email us at [email protected].
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By Ardra Arwin I’ve always believed that you don’t need to change who you are to have fun. You just need to be around the right people, doing the things that make you feel alive. For me, that’s what it means to live substance-free. It’s not about saying “no” to something — it’s about saying “yes” to myself! It’s about protecting the parts of me that make me who I am: my creativity, my curiosity, and my love for life. When I’m dancing, I lose myself in the rhythm. Every beat feels like it’s syncing with my heartbeat — and in those moments, nothing else matters. When I paint, I find freedom in my colors. My brush tells stories that words sometimes can’t. When I’m paddle boarding with my friends, laughing as the water splashes around us, I feel light — like the world is reminding me how beautiful it is to just be here. And when I’m hiking, surrounded by trees and sunlight, I breathe in peace and exhale gratitude. Those are my highs — the natural ones, the ones that don’t fade when the night is over. There’s so much pressure sometimes — to fit in, to look cool, to go along with what everyone else is doing. It’s easy to think that trying drugs or alcohol is a “rite of passage,” something that everyone has to experience. But I’ve realized that true confidence doesn’t come from fitting in — it comes from standing out. It’s in saying, this is who I am, and being proud of that. Living substance-free doesn’t mean my life is boring or limited — it actually feels more full. My laughter is real. My energy is real. My emotions are real. I get to experience life with a clear mind, and that clarity helps me chase my goals and stay connected to what truly matters. Every time I choose to stay substance-free, I’m choosing to protect my future — the version of me who has big dreams, bright ideas, and endless potential. Embracing my culture and my identity is what makes me who I am and in a world where everyone has a version of you in their heads, be the best version of you for yourself, not to impress anyone but your own! Sometimes people assume that being substance-free means you’re “missing out.” But honestly, I think it’s the opposite. I’m not missing out on anything — I’m showing up for everything. The joy, the challenges, the adventures, the late-night talks, the big dreams — I get to live all of it fully. I don’t need a drink or a smoke to make a moment special. The moment itself is enough. So when people ask me what gives me my “high,” I smile and tell them the truth: I’m high on life. On laughter. On creativity. On love. On everything real. ⸻ Author’s Note I wrote this piece because I know what it feels like to be a teen surrounded by pressure — the kind that whispers, “everyone’s doing it.” But I’ve learned that saying no doesn’t make you weak; it makes you strong enough to stand by what you believe in. I want other teens to see that there’s so much more to life than what you’re told you “should” try. Joy, art, movement, friendship, and nature — they’re all waiting to lift you up, no substances required. Your voice matters. Your choices matter. And you, too, can be high — on life.  |