Vaping/e-cigarettes

What is vaping?

Vaping is the act of inhaling vapor from electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes. An e-cigarette is a battery run device that heats up a flavored nicotine solution to produce an aerosol or vapor. The solution, commonly known as an e-liquid, is a mixture of chemicals, typically nicotine, and potentially THC, that either comes in, or is placed in, the device. These solutions can come in a wide range of flavors that make them appealing to kids. Terms like mods, vape pens, vapes, Juuls and e-cigs are all used to describe vaping devices. Informed educators can utilize this information to start conversations with their students.

Children's addresses vaping

With the recent increased incidence of illnesses associated with vaping, Children’s Wisconsin has been at the forefront of helping identify the issue and notifying the general public about the concerns. Watch this news conference with Michael Gutzeit, MD, chief medical officer, and Louella Amos, MD, pediatric pulmonologist, for more information.

This Children’s Facebook Live event digs deeper into the phenomenon of vaping.

Additional resources

• Visit KidsHealth to learn more about teen vaping.
• Read an informative Teen vaping article written by Barbara Calkins, MD, pediatrician, Children’s Wisconsin.
• Jennifer Schreiber, MD, a pediatrician at Children’s, shares her story of caring for a patient with complications related to vaping.
• Listen to a podcast by Science VS that talks about the vaping illnesses with guest expert Louella Amos, MD, pediatric pulmonologist, Children’s Wisconsin.
• The American Heart Association offers vaping and tobacco resources for teachers and staff, administrators and school boards, parents, students, counselors, and health professionals. A tobacco-free school toolkit is included, as are additional resources that can be used in the classroom, throughout the school, and at home.