The Impacts of Vaping and the Medicine Behind Decreased Addiction

Blue Raspberry, Watermelon Ice, Strawberry Kiwi, and Mango are just a few of the many popular vape flavors among teens. Vaping is the action of inhaling a vapor through a device known as a vape. This toxic habit is very common among high schoolers and young adults. Nicotine, one of the most active substances in vaping, targets the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for many bodily functions such as pain, sleep, mood, and immune responses. In the endocannabinoid system, nicotine and other substances attach to receptors, causing the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for the sensation referred to as a “high.” Additionally, nicotine causes drastic mood swings and personality changes. Cannabis and Marijuana are other drugs that are sometimes incorporated into vapes, and Nicotine can act as a gateway to these substances. Most importantly, vaping has monumental effects on adolescent brains, as the nicotine reaches the brain sooner than if it was ingested orally. Since the drugs are consumed as a vapor, it enters the respiratory system, goes to the heart, and then is pumped by the aorta through blood vessels to the brain. If it were consumed as a hard drug, then it would have to be digested by the stomach, processed by the small intestine and liver, pumped by the heart, and then it would be received by the brain. This makes vaping more addictive, because it is a quicker hit than other methods of consumption.

One of the most notable problems with vaping is its targeted appeal towards adolescents. Vapes are usually advertised with eye-appealing colors and sweet flavors in an attempt to draw children’s attention. The marketing of vapes gives teenagers a false sense of security, as it implies vaping is safe and fun. Furthermore, the utilization of flavors has been misguiding to teenagers, as it hides what is truly inside the vape. A study led by Dr. Heather Kimmel shows that most teenagers who vape didn’t know what they were vaping, “...Last year we basically asked for the first time when you vape, what do you think you are vaping? And most teenagers stated they thought they were vaping only flavors,” (“NIDA Live: The Science of Vaping | National Institute on Drug Abuse”). The problem is that most teenagers are unaware of the threats of vaping, which makes it easier for people to sell children vapes. This also poses the larger threat of addiction, because teenagers believe that vapes are “safe,” but are in reality getting hooked on drugs and are statistically more likely to have addiction issues later in life than teenagers that don’t vape. 

Another harmful issue in the vaping industry is mislabeling, whether purposeful or accidental. Labels can’t be trusted to provide insight to what is in the product, because “devices tell you this device does not have nicotine. When studies have actually evaluated, they found that 17% of them in fact have nicotine,” (“NIDA Live: The Science of Vaping | National Institute on Drug Abuse”). This is not only a violation of Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) regulations (section 502), but it is also ethically wrong as it makes teenagers more prone to addiction and danger. On a medical level, there are ways to reduce addiction to nicotine. Usually, there are two main methods used: Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and Varenicline. There are multiple kinds of NRT' —nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges to name a few. These NRTs replace the nicotine that is received from vaping devices, which prevents people from feeling uncomfortable and relapsing. Also, they administer nicotine without the other drugs and chemicals found in cigarettes and vapes. Over time, NRTs reduce the amount of nicotine that is released, so the brain is less accustomed to a large amount of nicotine daily. These treatments are very accessible, as they can be purchased without a prescription. Varenicline, the other alternative, is one of the only FDA approved pills to help with smoking cessation. Varenicline significantly reduces the impacts of nicotine on the brain, therefore making it less enjoyable to teens and young adults. The pill also imitates some of the effects of nicotine, which reduces cravings. Many previous studies were ineffective in proving the effectiveness of Varenicline, but in a recent study, a National Institute of Health (NIH)-funded research group led by Dr. A. Eden Evins confirmed the positive effects of Varenicline by employing different cessation methods—a text-support group chat for members of the study to stop vaping, therapy sessions with a youth counselor, Varenicline, and a placebo pill— on a testing group of 261 participants, with an average age of 21. The study found that “After 12 weeks, 51% of those taking varenicline had stopped vaping. Only 14% of those taking the placebo pill and just 6% of those who received only a referral for text-based support stopped vaping,” (“Smoking Cessation Pill May Help Youth Quit Vaping”). The pattern of these results stayed consistent through a longer period of time, as the study states “By six months, 28% of those who took varenicline still weren’t vaping compared to 7% of those who took the placebo and 4% of those in the text-only group.” (“Smoking Cessation Pill May Help Youth Quit Vaping”). More research is needed in this area, specifically surrounding cigarettes, cigars, and a larger testing group, but it is clear that Varenicline has a significant impact on vaping termination. In conclusion, medicines and pills are extremely helpful for reducing the negative impacts of vaping and limiting the likelihood of relapse, but it is important to note the societal implications. Most times, teenagers vape either to release stress or are peer pressured by friends.

So, we need to ensure that we are providing support to teenagers so they feel as though they

don’t need to turn to vapes as a stress reliever, and educate them on the risks of vaping so they

don’t falsely believe it is safe. Furthermore, more regulations need to be put on the vaping

industry to cease misleading information and the targeting of teenagers, and the glorification of

drugs and vaping in the media needs to be decreased. Vaping is a significant and drastic habit

within teenagers and young adults, so we must do our best to protect future generations from the

harmful effects of nicotine.

Works Cited

Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Labeling Requirements - Misbranding.” U.S. Food

And Drug Administration, 27 Oct. 2017,

www.fda.gov/medical-devices/general-device-labeling-requirements/labeling-requiremen

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Drug,used%20in%20the%20dosage%20or%20manner%20prescribed.

How Quit Smoking Medicines Work | Quit Smoking | Tips From Former Smokers | CDC.

www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/quit-smoking-medications/how-quit-s

moking-medicines-work/index.html#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20quit%2Dsmoking,

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“NIDA Live: The Science of Vaping | National Institute on Drug Abuse.” National Institute on

Drug Abuse, 18 Sept. 2019, nida.nih.gov/videos/nida-live-science-vaping.

“Smoking Cessation Pill May Help Youth Quit Vaping.” National Institutes of Health (NIH), 18

Sept. 2025,

www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/smoking-cessation-pill-may-help-youth-

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