What is Tobacco?
Tobacco is a plant that contains the addictive ingredient nicotine. Nicotine is very addictive and is found in tobacco products such as cigarettes, chew and vapes.
Why is it bad for me?
Nicotine in tobacco is harmful due to its addictive nature, but there are chemicals in tobacco that also make it harmful. Tobacco use increases the risk of developing lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease, stroke, heart attack, amongst others.
I use tobacco products, how do they impact my life?
If you’re interested to learn more about how tobacco use could be impacting your life, take this brief 20 minute screening. It’s anonymous and will provide you with information about how you use nicotine, your risk patterns, your goals and asperations, and helpful resources to begin your quit journey.
Understanding Vapes: Health Risks and Facts
What about vapes?
- E-cigarettes are known by many different names. They are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” “tank systems,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).”
- Using an e-cigarette is sometimes called “vaping.” | Source: About Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes)
- Research has demonstrated the connection between vaping and poor mental health. Frequent vaping increases your risk of being diagnosed with depression and can worsen the symptoms of depression. Learn more here: Youth Mental Health and Nicotine Use
What is the bottom line about vapes?
- E-cigarettes are only potentially helpful to adults who already smoke if the individual is not pregnant and uses the e-cigarettes as a total substitute for cigarettes.
- E-cigarettes are not safe
- If you’ve never smoked or used other tobacco products or e-cigarettes, don’t start.
- The science is clear that vaping worsens mental health
What is in my vape?
- Volatile organic compounds
- Nicotine
- Ultrafine particles
- Cancer-causing chemicals
- Heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead
- Flavoring such as Diacetyl–a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
How common is tobacco use at Boise State?
- Less than 1 in 5 Boise State students reported using tobacco in the last 3 months when surveyed in the Spring of 2023 (National College Health Assessment).
- 8 in 100 Boise State students use e-cigarettes or other vape products.
This is Quitting
The first-of-its-kind program to help young people quit vaping, This is Quitting has helped nearly 500,000 youth and young adults on their journey to quit vaping. Learn more about how it works and the additional resources available for parents of young vapers and for adults who want to quit.
Teens and young adults can join for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709