Youth who Vape Five Times more Likely to get Coronavirus

Vaping and using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has become increasingly popular in recent years. One of the common misperceptions about vaping is that it’s a safe (or safer) alternative to smoking. While there is much to learn about the long-term health implications of vaping, alarming new medical concerns related to COVID-19 and vaping are being discovered.

As with cigarette smoking, vaping can compromise the respiratory system – meaning that people who smoke or vape are most susceptible to lung infections.

A recent study by the Stanford University School of Medicine indicates that vaping is not just a small risk for coronavirus. In fact, the study results—culled from over 4,300 participants ages 13 to 24—indicate that those who had ever used e-cigarettes were five times more likely to be diagnosed with coronavirus. The risk increased for those who vape and smoke cigarettes.

And there are additional concerns. As some children head back to school and colleges start the 2020-2021 academic year, there’s the increased potential for friends to share e-cigarettes (high-risk pandemic behavior).

So, what’s the bottom line?  E-cigarettes are not safe for youth and young adults, as well as pregnant women and adults who do not currently use tobacco products. If you have never vaped or smoked – don’t start.

Help is available for those who want to quit, as well as for parents who want to help their child. 

CDPHP partners with Roswell Park Cancer Institute to offer CDPHP Smoke-Free, a no-cost, individualized phone-based counseling program. CDPHP members receive up to eight telephonic sessions per year with a quit coach, as well as up to 16 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy.

We’re proud to announce that CDPHP Smoke-Free has expanded its services to vaping so you or your loved one can drop the vape for good!

Teens

Kick vaping to the curb with new resources from CDPHP Smoke-Free and New York State.  Text “DropTheVape” to 88709 to enroll in New York’s state-wide quit program and start receiving text messages to help you quit. This innovative and free text message program was created with input from teenagers, college students and young adults who have attempted to, or successfully, quit vaping. It is tailored to specific age groups (13-17 and 18-24) to give appropriate quitting recommendations.