Nicotine causes your blood vessels to narrow, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.
Mouth
Nicotine products like vapes, dip and pouches can cause yellow teeth, tooth loss, gum disease and bad breath. Nicotine products can also affect your oral health, leading to cavities and gingivitis. Products that contain tobacco can lead to throat or mouth cancer.
Lungs
Nicotine exposure can severely damage your lungs and respiratory system. Over time, this can cause a chronic cough, trouble breathing, asthma attacks and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Skin
Nicotine breaks down your skin’s protective barrier, causing you to age faster, acne to last longer and scars to stick around.
Brain
Nicotine is extremely addictive and disrupts your hormones. Using nicotine before your brain is fully developed signs you up for a lifetime of addiction.
Intestines
Nicotine can also lead to digestive system issues, such as upset stomach, bloating and constipation. Because of other ingredients commonly found in these products, long-term use can result in colon and pancreatic cancers.
The tobacco industry will try to trick you into believing nicotine is safe. However, you have too much on the line to fall for their tactics. Don’t jeopardize your future for a quick rush. Nicotine addiction can stay with you through high school, college and even adulthood.
The tobacco industry will try to trick you into believing nicotine is safe. However, you have too much on the line to fall for their tactics. Don’t jeopardize your future for a quick rush. Nicotine addiction can stay with you through high school, college and even adulthood.
Heart
Nicotine causes your blood vessels to narrow, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.
Mouth
Nicotine products like vapes, dip and pouches can cause yellow teeth, tooth loss, gum disease and bad breath. Nicotine products can also affect your oral health, leading to cavities and gingivitis. Products that contain tobacco can lead to throat or mouth cancer.
Lungs
Nicotine exposure can severely damage your lungs and respiratory system. Over time, this can cause a chronic cough, trouble breathing, asthma attacks and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Skin
Nicotine breaks down your skin’s protective barrier, causing you to age faster, acne to last longer and scars to stick around.
Brain
Nicotine is extremely addictive and disrupts your hormones. Using nicotine before your brain is fully developed signs you up for a lifetime of addiction.
Intestines
Nicotine can also lead to digestive system issues, such as upset stomach, bloating and constipation. Because of other ingredients commonly found in these products, long-term use can result in colon and pancreatic cancers.
Match the pairs to learn how nicotine affects your brain.
Difficulty learning
Your brain still has a few years to go until it’s fully developed. Using nicotine in your teen and young-adult years can affect your memory, focus and attention ... permanently.
Impulsivity
Nicotine and nicotine withdrawal make life hard. You’re more likely to act out, say things you don’t mean and make bad decisions. Impulsive behavior is often a signal you are addicted to nicotine.
Mood Swings
Using nicotine is like getting on an emotional rollercoaster that never stops. Even using nicotine for a short period of time can cause extreme shifts, such as happy to scared or excited to nervous, at the worst times.
Depressed
Nicotine makes the symptoms of depression worse and can lead teens and young adults down a dangerous and harmful path.
Anxiety
Everyone feels anxious, and that’s normal. However, vapes and other nicotine products are NOT a cure. In fact, they can make anxiety worse and trap you in a lifetime of addiction.
Nicotine promises an escape from reality but instead delivers a lifetime of struggles. Your mind is too valuable to risk. If you are dealing with mental health issues, nicotine products are not the answer.
Nicotine promises an escape from reality but instead delivers a lifetime of struggles. Your mind is too valuable to risk. If you are dealing with mental health issues, nicotine products are not the answer.
Difficulty learning
Your brain still has a few years to go until it’s fully developed. Using nicotine in your teen and young-adult years can affect your memory, focus and attention … permanently.
Impulsivity
Nicotine and nicotine withdrawal make life hard. You’re more likely to act out, say things you don’t mean and make bad decisions. Impulsive behavior is often a signal you are addicted to nicotine.
Mood Swings
Using nicotine is like getting on an emotional rollercoaster that never stops. Even using nicotine for a short period of time can cause extreme shifts, such as happy to scared or excited to nervous, at the worst times.
Depressed
Nicotine makes the symptoms of depression worse and can lead teens and young adults down a dangerous and harmful path.
Anxiety
Everyone feels anxious, and that’s normal. However, vapes and other nicotine products are NOT a cure. In fact, they can make anxiety worse and trap you in a lifetime of addiction.
Click on each device to learn more about the dangers.
Vapes
Vapes often mimic current fashion and technology trends, however their health effects can be detrimental. Strange electronics and batteries, and sickeningly sweet smells are signs to watch for. Slang such as “clouds,” “batt” and “e-juice” are usually associated with vapes.
Pouches
These small pillows look like discreet skincare samples or breath mints, but they contain highly addictive levels of nicotine — resulting in high levels of negative side effects.
Dip
Dip, chew, snuff, whatever you want to call it, always leaves evidence — like strong, minty tobacco smells and “spitter” cups. Smokeless tobacco has horrible effects on the body.
Cigarettes
Cigarettes are the best-known tobacco product, but flavors such as menthol often mask their harshness. Lighters, ashtrays, breath mints and body spray or perfume often signal smoking.
Nicotine products are literally designed to be deceptive. Why? Because the tobacco industry wants to take advantage of teens to replace their former customers. One puff or pouch may not seem like a big deal, but it is just the first dangerous step into addiction. The tobacco industry knows this — that’s why they’ve been selling the same tricks for decades.
Flavors like mint or menthol cover up the harsh burn of tobacco and nicotine. Tobacco companies use this flavor to get kids and teens hooked early because it’s easier to start. However, it’s also harder to quit.
Sunrise ice
Tobacco companies often use fake flavors like “Hidden Breeze,” “Lush Ice,” “Mouth Rave” and “Storm Berry” to attract teens and stay discreet.
Banana cake
Sweet, familiar flavors with a recognizable smell draw teens in. In fact, most teens who vape tried it for the first time because it came in a flavor they liked.
Appealing flavors are just another ploy to addict a new generation. Tobacco companies are always looking for ways to trick young people (15-18) into becoming lifetime customers. They refer to teens and young adults — like you — as their replacement smokers. They need your money to survive, and flavors are their favorite sales tactic.
Social media influencers talk openly about vaping and nicotine. However, this is just another ploy to sell you tobacco products. If your favorite influencer or social media friends are trying to sell you nicotine, just remember: They are probably struggling with addiction, too.
“Quit” aid
Vaping and other alternative nicotine products are often portrayed as safe alternatives to smoking or as methods of quitting. Almost all still contain high amounts of nicotine — some even more than an entire pack of cigarettes — which can cause major health problems for teens and young adults that stick around for life. The CDC is clear: Vapes are not safe.
Product placement
Placing products in popular shows and movies is one of Big Tobacco’s oldest and favorite tricks. What they don’t show you are the harsh realities of addiction.
Cheap deals
The tobacco industry knows teens and college students are usually struggling with money; so, they promote sales and deals to make their products more affordable. Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean you should buy it! Nicotine will end up costing you a lot of money over time.
The tobacco industry profits from deceiving young people like you. They know how you scroll, what you like and how much money you have — and will do anything to get you hooked. After all, they need your business. Their former customers are no longer around.
You have your whole future ahead of you — don’t let nicotine derail your dreams. While the tobacco industry may need your business to survive, saying no will give you control over your life. If you’re struggling with nicotine addiction, My Life, My Quit™ is a free, confidential way to help 13-17-year-olds quit vaping. Text “Start My Quit” to 36072 to chat with a Coach.
