Dangers Of Youth Vaping: Parsippany Teens Tackle Issue, Urge Awareness

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Students in Parsippany encouraged parents to have frank conversations with their children about using vapes and e-cigarettes, as they said these devices continue to be prevalent in local schools.

Parsippany Hills High School students Anushka, Shreeji and Tanvi shared their research on the subject with parents and other students at the Parsippany Public Library last week.

The students are in an AP Research class together, and have been working on the project for several months along with classmate Aleena, who was out of the country during the presentation.

These four students explored the issue of vaping from an economic, social and cultural, health, and ethical perspective. Their mission was to help stimulate conversation to de-normalize vaping around school and in the community.

E-cigarette use has been rising among youth in New Jersey as cigarette smoking has declined, according to statistics from the state Department of Health.

These devices heat up a liquid that contains nicotine, as well as flavoring and other chemicals, to produce a vapor that users inhale. E-cigarettes can also deliver marijuana or other drugs.

"We really need parents' help too," said Anushka as the students showed examples of e-cigarette models in an array of shapes, sizes, and colors.

When looking out for a vape, a key detail for parents and teachers to check for is a charging port, the students said — many e-cigarettes are able to be plugged in to a USB cable to charge. Shreeji told attendees about product that is designed to look and function like a highlighter — while concealing a vape, as well.

He shared the impacts that vaping these chemicals can have on people's lungs, heart, and other organs — as well as how nicotine addiction can affect mental health and even brain development.

"It's your choice, and if you vape it will affect you mentally and physically," he said. "And instead of reducing your stress, it will make you gain stress."

Tanvi shared stats that showed 27.5 percent of high schoolers reported using e-cigarettes, and more than half said they had seen targeted marketing on social media about vaping.

The legal age for purchasing tobacco/nicotine is 21, which includes all oral, tobacco, nicotine, and synthetic nicotine products.

The students encouraged parents to continue learning about vaping so they may have an educated conversation with students about how it will affect them.

You may watch the full presentation here on the Parsippany Video on the Go channel.

Students at Brooklawn Middle School also made an anti-vaping PSA earlier this spring, which also reminds students that they can face a fine for smoking on campus.