About 1 in 6 people who start using as a teen, and 25-50% of people who use it every day, become addicted to marijuana.

What Parents Need to Know about the JUUL Vaping Device

What is JUUL?

• A new type of electronic cigarette which vaporizes a liquid nicotine solution into an aerosol which the user inhales.
• Battery is recharged using a USB charger.
• Uses a “pod” to insert the flavored liquid into the device.
• All pods contain 0.7 ml of flavoring and 5% nicotine, which is equal to about 1 pack of cigarettes or 200 puffs, according to JUUL labs.
• JUUL labs sells 5 different flavors, many of which appeal to youth. Other companies sell JUUL-compatible pods with additional flavors.
• Several companies sell wraps and skins and other ways to decorate or personalize the JUUL.

JUUL Use Among Teens

• According to the 2018 Healthy Youth Survey, 23% of 10th graders and 30% of 12th graders reported regularly using vapor devices. However, this survey did not specifically reference JUULs and many youth do not recognize the use of a JUUL as the same as “vaping”. We believe this means that statistic is an underrepresentation of youth use.
• Many youth do not call use of a JUUL as “vaping,” instead calling it “JUULING.” This can lead to difficulties in measuring youth use of this product. Health officials suspect that the number of youth using JUULs is much higher than reported.
• Every high school in Snohomish County has reported a substantial increase in disciplinary actions related to the JUUL for the 2018-19 school year.

Health Effects of the JUUL

• The JUUL pod contains a massive amount of nicotine which is incredibly damaging to the developing adolescent brain.
• While the long-term effects of JUUL and other e-cigarettes are not yet known, evidence has been found of cancer-causing chemicals (such as formaldehyde and benzene), toxic heavy metals (such as nickel and lead), irritants to the lungs, and a vapor’s cough. For more information contact the Snohomish Health District.

Accessibility and Marketing to Youth

• JUULs are easily available in convenience stores, gas stations, and online. While you must be 18 to buy this product some stores will risk the fine and look the other way. Additionally, it is easy to pretend you are 18 online.
• While JUUL denies marketing directly to teens, many of their early ads feature very young and hip users with JUULs.
• The sleek design and flavors are also incredibly attractive to youth.

If you have questions or want additional information, please contact Kathleen Everett, Prevention/Intervention Specialist at EverettKM@mukilteo.wednet.edu or (425) 366-5435 for Kamiak on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays

MYTH: Vapes produce harmless water vapor

FACT: Vapes produce an aerosol that has nicotine and toxins known to cause cancer. These toxic chemicals include things like benzene, cadmium, lead, and nickel. The chemical diacetyl, found in many vape flavors, is linked to serious lung disease.

MYTH: Marijuana does not produce withdrawal symptoms when someone stops using it

FACT: Marijuana produces withdrawal symptoms! The symptoms are similar in type and severity to those of nicotine withdrawal-irritability, sleeping difficulties, anxiety, and craving-peaking a few days after regular marijuana use has stopped. Withdrawal symptoms can make it hard for someone to stay off marijuana.

MYTH: Marijuana is not addictive

FACT: But what you didn’t know is that more teens enter treatment each year with marijuana as the main substance that they abused. In 2004, 64% of teens were admitted for treatment for marijuana as their main drug of choice vs. 36% of all other substances including alcohol. Marijuana is addictive, as it meets the criteria for substance dependence established by the American Psychiatric Association including:  1) Tolerance (needing more of the substance to achieve the same effects) 2) Withdrawal symptoms, using a drug even in the presence of adverse effects (you smoke even though bad things have happened when you do) 3) Giving up social, occupational or recreational activities because of substance use (you quit your sports team or job because they get in the way of your drug use.) The desire for marijuana can have a powerful pull over a user – and can make it hard to quit.

MYTH: I can drink alcohol and not have any problems

FACT: If you're under 21, drinking alcohol is a big problem: It’s illegal. If caught, you may have to pay a fine, perform community service, or take alcohol awareness classes. Kids who drink also are more likely to get poor grades in school, and are at higher risk for being a crime victim.

MYTH: Beer and Wine are Safer than Liquor

FACT: Alcohol is alcohol… it can cause problems no matter how you consume it. One 12-ounce bottle of beer or 5-ounce glass of wine (about a half-cup) has as much alcohol as a 1.5-ounce of liquor. Alcopops--sweet drinks laced with malt liquor--often contain more alcohol than a beer!