BATON ROUGE, LA – As noted in last night’s wonderful WAFB report on the growing concern of youth vaping, Louisiana Attorney General Landry is hoping to educate parents on the signs and the dangers of vaping.
“As a father, I am troubled by the alarming number of
middle school and high school students using e-cigarettes,” said General
Landry. “And even more concerning is the percentage of youth who are vaping
marijuana.”
“As Attorney General, I am dedicated to making Louisiana
a safer place – starting with the protection of our families,” added General
Landry. “I encourage all parents and guardians to be aware of the dangers of
vaping and the signs to detect its use.”
What Parents Should Know
- In
Louisiana, vaping is illegal for anyone under the age of 18.
- Adolescent
use of nicotine can harm parts of the brain that control attention,
learning, mood, and impulse control. It may also increase the risk of
addiction to other drugs.
- There
is a high level of nicotine intake when vaping e-cigarettes. Some pods may
contain as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes.
- Vaping
can be difficult to detect because there is no smoke and minimal odor.
- Many
vaping devices look like computer flash drives or writing pens.
Common Signs of Vaping
- Kids
who vape may drink more liquids or seem more prone to nose bleeds as some
of the chemicals can dry out the user’s mouth and nasal passages.
- Kids
who vape may develop sensitivity to caffeine. If your child suddenly quit
drinking caffeinated beverages, it could be a result of him or her vaping.
- Kids
often purchase their vaping products online. Monitor their Internet usage,
charges to your financial accounts, and packages that arrive in the mail.
- Kids
who vape marijuana may have gel jars containing dabs, small tools to scoop
the dabs, or cartridges containing THC oil.
- Kids
who vape marijuana may have bloodshot eyes, unusual increases in appetite,
and abnormal shifts in behavior and mood.
Negative Effects of
Vaping Marijuana
- Marijuana
use may have long-lasting effects on the developing adolescent brain.
- Users
may have difficulty with critical thinking skills like attention, problem
solving, and memory.
- Users
may have declines in school performance.
- Users
may have impaired reaction time and coordination, especially as it relates
to driving.
- Users
may have increased risk of mental health issues including depression or
anxiety.