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Missoula health officials urge parents to discuss vaping risks with kids

Posted at 2:12 PM, Oct 27, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-28 10:26:52-04

Missoula public health officials have released a letter to parents and caregivers of teens addressing the risks and signs of vaping.

The letter stated that between 2017 and 2019 Montana high schools students that were using e-cigarettes daily increased by 263%.

This letter was released following a death in Montana due to a lung illness. There are now 33 reported deaths nationwide.

MPH wants parents to be aware of the risks associated with e-cigarette use such as:

  • E-cigarette aerosol can contain ultrafine particles and cancer-causing chemicals.
  • Youth who use e-cigarettes are 4 times more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.
  • The long-term health effects of e-cigarette use are unknown.

MPH also offered these websites for parents to become knowledgeable about specific e-cigarette devices like:

MPH also said for parents to be on the look out for these signs:

  • Fruity aroma - most e-liquids have flavors like mint, vanilla, and fruit punch.
  • Unfamiliar hand-held gadgets - like pens, Juuls (specific brand popular with students that can resemble a computer memory stick).
  • Increased thirst - some of the chemicals in e-cigarettes cause dry mouth.
  • Different batteries and chargers - vaporizers need to be charged, most use a USB cable or plug directly into a USB port.
  • Discarded atomizers, cartridges, and pods - the atomizers turn the e-juice into vapor and are rechargeable and eventually disposable.
  • Unaccounted expenditures of money, as vaping products are
  • For more information and resources you can visit Missoula.co/vaping