Vaping: Ask the Expert

We asked Delta Dental of Minnesota's Vice President of Medical Services, Dr. Eileen Crespo to provide answers to some common questions about vaping.

Vaping Q&A

Q: What is vaping?

A: Vaping is using a device that heats a liquid (known as e-liquid, e-juice or liquid pods) into an aerosol which is then inhaled.

Q: What ingredients are typically in e-liquids?

A: E-liquids can contain a variety of ingredients and some can be modified by the users as well, so called mod-pods. Standard e-liquids commonly contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Some devices can also deliver marijuana or CBD.

Q: At what age are people most likely to start vaping?

A: Vaping has shown the largest growth rates among young people— pre-teens, teenagers and young adults. In 2019, reports showed 1 in 10 middle schoolers and 1 in 4 high school students had tried vaping.

Q: Is vaping safer or less addictive than cigarettes?

A: Vaping is not safe. In addition to vape device explosions, last year’s outbreak of E-cigarette Product Use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) affected more than 2,000 Americans and caused 60+ deaths. Regarding risk of addiction, most e-liquids products contain nicotine, the addictive substance found in traditional cigarettes, so the risk is the same. Nicotine is thought to be even more addictive for adolescents and young adults because of ongoing brain development.

Q: What is your advice for people who currently vape?

A: I strongly advise my patients to quit vaping. Nicotine replacement products, such as those used for quitting cigarette smoking, can help. Seeking medical advice on how to safely quit vaping is a good idea. If you’ve never vaped, don’t start.

Resources—

For teens trying to quit: https://teen.smokefree.gov https://truthinitiative.org/thisisquitting

For eligible Minnesotans trying to quit vaping, tobacco and nicotine: https://www.quitplan.com

For anyone trying to quit nicotine addiction: https://www.becomeanex.org

For more information about the effects of vaping on young people, download the whitepaper co-authored by Dr. Crespo: The Vaping Epidemic in Adolescents.

This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.

Dr. Eileen Crespo, MD

Dr. Eileen Crespo is the Vice President of Medical Services at Delta Dental of Minnesota. She is a practicing pediatrician of over 25 years. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Biology and received her medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is currently a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Co-Chapter Oral Health Advocate (COHA) of the Minnesota American Academy of Pediatrics, and a member of the Board of Directors of Children’s Dental Services, and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.