Parents: What Your Teens Should Know About Vaping

As a thoracic oncologist and a mother, I often find myself thinking about the health choices our teens are making—especially when it comes to vaping. It’s a topic that comes up in clinic rooms, community outreach events and increasingly, in conversations with concerned parents. The truth is, vaping is everywhere. And while it may seem like a harmless trend, the science tells a different story.

At Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, we recently reviewed 77 studies on e-cigarette use, led by one of our medical students, Kyle Edwards, a third-year M.D./M.P.H. student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Tagrhid Asfar, M.D., M.S.P.H., professor of Public Health Sciences at the Miller School.  Edwards serves as the president of UM’s chapter of the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (ALCSI), a national nonprofit focused on improving awareness and access to lung cancer screening and smoking cessation resources. The findings were eye-opening. Vaping isn’t just a fad — it’s a public health issue that disproportionately affects young people.

The illusion of safety with vaping

Many teens believe vaping is safer than smoking traditional cigarettes. After all, e-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco, and they’re often marketed as tools to help people quit smoking. But this perception is dangerously misleading. The chemicals in vape cartridges can cause serious harm—not just to the lungs, but to the heart, brain and mouth.

We’re seeing increasing evidence that vaping is linked to cardiovascular issues like elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and even seizures. Oral health is also at risk, with studies showing dry mouth, gum irritation and a higher likelihood of oral cancers. And let’s not forget the environmental impact—vape waste contains hazardous materials that can contaminate soil and groundwater.

Why do teens vape?

Understanding why teens vape is key to helping them stop. Our research found that many young people turn to e-cigarettes to cope with anxiety, stress or peer pressure. In some communities, vape shops are more prevalent, and marketing is more aggressive—especially in lower-income areas.

I’ve heard stories from students who feel they have to vape to fit in. School bathrooms become unofficial vape lounges. And because vaping is so discreet, it’s easy to do without getting caught. Unlike cigarettes, which require stepping outside and burn out quickly, a vape cartridge can last 20 minutes or more—and it’s often used indoors.

The addiction factor

Nicotine addiction is real, and it can start with just a few puffs. What begins as a social activity at a party can quickly become a daily habit. Teens may not realize how addictive these products are until they’re already hooked.

As a doctor taking care of patients with lung cancer and a history of nicotine dependence, I’ve seen how hard it is to break that cycle. Nicotine rewires the brain, making it harder to concentrate, sleep and manage emotions. And because vaping is marketed as “clean” or “cool,” many teens don’t recognize the warning signs until it’s too late.

Secondhand vapor and poison risks

Parents should also be aware that vaping doesn’t just affect the user. Secondhand vapor can cause bronchitis and shortness of breath in others, especially young children. The CDC recently reported a 32% increase in e-cigarette exposure cases to U.S. poison centers — most involving children under five.

These products are often left lying around the house, and curious toddlers may mistake them for toys. That’s why it’s so important to store vape devices safely and dispose of them properly. The FDA recommends taking used cartridges to hazardous waste facilities to prevent environmental contamination.

So, what can parents do?

First, start the conversation.

Ask your teen what they know about vaping. Share the facts—not just the risks, but the reasons why people vape and the healthier alternatives available.

If your child is using e-cigarettes to manage stress or anxiety, help them find other outlets. Encourage physical activity, creative hobbies or talk therapy. Let them know it’s OK to feel overwhelmed—and that there are better ways to cope.

Second, model healthy behavior.

If you vape or smoke, consider quitting. Your actions speak louder than words, and your teen is watching.

Third, advocate for better screening.

Right now, most doctors ask, “Do you smoke?” But that question doesn’t capture vaping. At Sylvester, we’re working to change that. We’re training clinicians to ask about e-cigarette use and to treat it with the same seriousness as smoking.

Vaping may be marketed as harmless, but the science says otherwise.

As parents, educators, and health care providers, we have a responsibility to protect our teens from the hidden dangers of e-cigarettes.

Let’s start by educating ourselves — and then passing that knowledge on. Because when it comes to vaping, what your teen doesn’t know can hurt them.

Written by Estelamari Rodriguez, M.D., M.P.H., a thoracic and breast medical oncologist at Sylvester.

Tags: Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez, E-cigarette dangers, Nicotine addiction in youth, Smoking cessation strategies, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center