Cook County Health Warns About the Dangers of Vaping

The marketers of e-cigarettes are leading the public to believe vaping is a safe alternative to smoking. Cook County Health wants residents to know the dangers of e-cigarettes:

• Nicotine is highly addictive and may cause negative health effects such as harming the developing brains of teens (which develop until age 25), kids and fetuses in women who vape while pregnant.
• Using nicotine during adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood and impulse control.
• Using nicotine during adolescence may also increase risk for future addiction to other drugs.
• Defective e-cigarette batteries have caused some fires and explosions, a few of which have resulted in serious injuries.
• E-cigarette aerosol is NOT harmless 'water vapor'
• Vaping is NOT the best way to quit smoking cigarettes

Smoking is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths in the United States. If you are trying to stop smoking or vaping and are having difficulty quitting on your own, talk to your doctor who may be able to suggest nicotine replacement therapy or prescribe medicines to help you quit.