Today, we know just how bad vaping can be for your lungs. Though different, both smoking and vaping involve heating nicotine and inhaling the resulting fumes. E-cigarettes have been said to contain many toxic chemicals and often have a higher concentration of nicotine that poses a danger to young, developing minds. Presented as tools to help others quit smoking, current research has found that these claims aren’t recognized by the FDA. Current research has shown that e-cigarettes promote addiction to vaping— encouraging you to go from one danger to another.

Because of how easy it is to vape secretly, the action leaving a fruity smell on one’s breath and clothes, it has become easier and more common to vape in high school. According to the CDC and a study called the National Youth Tobacco Survey, a study that looks at tobacco use among middle and high school students, about 2.5 million adolescents used e-cigarettes, with 27.6% of adolescents using the device daily.

The human brain continues to develop until around 25 and exposure to nicotine at a young age can impact brain development and affect memory, attention, learning and impulse control.in addition to this, it also harms the heart. New research from the American College of Cardiology found that vaping increases the likelihood of a heart attack, coronary artery disease and depression in adults.

While finding out that your child vapes can be stressful, it is important to communicate and help them navigate the complicated situation by showing them the possible dangers that come from anything they inhale, nicotine or not.