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Choose what matters

Let’s be honest, being a teen isn’t always easy. When life gets stressful, it’s important to stay true to you. Focus on the things that matter and find healthy ways to cope that work for you. When you need to unwind, choose you and avoid vapes which contain nicotine and can harm your health and mental well-being.

And if you need help quitting, we’ve got you covered.
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Choose your
Mental Health

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. So, when it comes to protecting it, knowing how vaping and smoking impacts your mental wellness is important. Tobacco companies market vapes as a de-stressor and want you to think vaping is a healthy alternative to smoking, but they’re not telling the truth.

Research shows those who vape are 2x as likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who don’t.

When you’re addicted, vaping might seem like a quick fix, but that’s just nicotine covering your withdrawal. And though quitting vapes can be hard, it can improve your mental health as much as antidepressants.1, 2, 3

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See how nicotine 
affects your brain chemistry

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Choose
the facts

Tobacco companies have a history of using attractive flavors and packaging to target teens. But there are tons of not-so-pretty risks when it comes to vaping. Knowing the facts can help you keep sight of your values and priorities. 4

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Question 1 of 3
One JUUL pod has as much nicotine as how many cigarettes?

That’s right.

A single JUUL pod has 20 cigarettes worth of nicotine.5

NOT QUITE.

A single JUUL pod has 20 cigarettes worth of nicotine.5

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Next Question
Question 2 of 3
Which of these can vaping and smoking also cause?

That’s right.

Vapes contain the same cancer-causing chemicals as cigarettes, have nicotine which can weaken your immune system, and have been shown to double the risk of chronic bronchitis symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.6, 7, 8, 9

NOT QUITE.

Vaping can actually cause all of the above. Vapes contain the same cancer-causing chemicals as cigarettes, have nicotine which can weaken your immune system, and have been shown to double the risk of chronic bronchitis symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.6, 7, 8, 9

Get the Answer
Next Question
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Question 3 of 3
Vapes contain nearly how many chemicals?

That’s right.

Studies show vaping products contain NEARLY 2,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.10

NOT QUITE.

Studies show vaping products contain NEARLY 2,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.10

Get the Answer
Get Help Quitting
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Hobbies

Vaping and smoking can get in the way of your favorite hobbies, sports, and other activities. Vaping can increase your heart rate, tense your muscles, cause breathing problems, and impact your memory, learning, and attention.11, 12

Money

Vapes and cigarettes aren’t cheap. Buying them could stop you from affording what you’d rather spend money on, like hobbies, clothes, or entertainment.*
In Washington State, it’s illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase vaping or commercial tobacco products.

Addiction

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. And withdrawal can cause mood swings, problems sleeping, and feelings of anxiety and depression.13, 14, 15

Relationships

Younger siblings and friends may consider you a role model. Vaping and smoking can damage that trust or influence others to use, putting those who matter most to you at risk.

Know the difference between

Traditional tobacco has been used for spiritual and medicinal purposes by Indigenous peoples for centuries and continues to be used today. The tobacco plant is considered a sacred gift by many Native American communities. 16

Commercial tobacco is mass-produced by big tobacco companies for profit. They add harmful chemicals and using can cause health issues or death. 16

104000

Washington youth alive today will die prematurely from smoking.17

Health

Vaping and smoking can lead to lung disease, oral health problems, and increased chances of a heart attack. Quitting can help you live a longer, healthier life.18, 19, 20

Need help quitting?
check out these resources

Harmful chemicals

Vapes contain harmful chemicals like lead, arsenic, aluminum, nickel, formaldehyde, and many more. These can cause cancer and lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression.21, 22

Targeting

Vaping and commercial tobacco companies target vulnerable groups like BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, which means they are more likely to use and face addiction.23

environment

Vaping products are often littered. They don’t biodegrade and are toxic to the environment and animals.24

Quit Vaping

2Morrow Health is a free, anonymous app that’s been proven to help teens quit vaping or smoking. You can track your progress and get private, non-judgmental support to help manage nicotine cravings.

Get Help Now
Depressed teenage boy looking out a car window

Get Familiar with the FAQS

  • Is vaping safer than cigarettes?

    No. Both are harmful, containing highly addictive nicotine and chemicals linked to lung disease, cancer, and heart failure. Nicotine can also impact brain development and some vapes contain amounts equal to that in 48 cigarettes.25, 26

  • Can vaping help me quit smoking?

    The Food and Drug Administration has not approved vaping to help quit cigarettes. And studies show young people who vape are over 3X as likely to smoke cigarettes a year later. If you’re struggling to quit, check out these resources.27

  • Are vape flavors safe?

    No. Vape flavors come from chemicals that can damage your lungs, heart, and immune system. This is especially important to know as more than 4 out of 5 young people who vape use flavored products.28, 29

  • Are there health risks from secondhand vape?

    Yes. Secondhand vape aerosol contains nicotine, ultrafine particles that can make breathing conditions like asthma worse, and heavy metals and chemicals that have been shown to cause cancer.30, 31

Vape companies were recently caught red-handed for their illegal marketing practices and forced to pay millions in a Washington state lawsuit.

Learn more

CHOOSE TO
REFUSE TARGETING

Commercial tobacco and vape companies target specific communities for their own gain. Click through to learn about their shady tactics.

Targeting Teens

They use attractive packaging and flavors, targeted ad placements, coupons, device designs, and misleading marketing on the effects of nicotine to attract youth.

Targeting LGBTQ+

They advertise in LGBTQ+ publications, disguise corporate giving as support for the community, host outreach events, and market their workplaces as LGBTQ+-friendly.

Targeting BIPOC

They have sponsored racial and ethnic cultural events and advertise specifically to BIPOC communities, making them more likely to use and face addiction.

Choose Healthy Coping

When life gets overwhelming, reaching for a vape or cigarette may seem like a quick fix, but nicotine can actually keep you from finding your calm. The next time things get stressful, give one (or more!) of these ideas a go.

Acknowledge your emotions Teenage girl talking to her friend and sharing how she’s feeling

Facing your feelings instead of choosing to ignore them can be a way to embrace your true self by honoring your emotions.

Start by identifying your feelings. Then, ask yourself what might be causing them.
Take things step by step Hispanic teenage girl writing down a to-do list in a planner

When you’re overwhelmed, accomplishing anything can feel impossible.

Try breaking things down into more manageable, bite-sized pieces. Bonus: This helps you check more things off your to-do list (what a great feeling!).
Talk it out Mother and teenage son engaging in an honest conversation

You don’t have to deal with difficult emotions on your own.

Find a friend, family member, or someone you trust like a coach or teacher to help work things out. Sometimes, simply having someone to listen to you is enough.
Get grounded or get moving Teenage girl in workout clothes stretching her leg at a park

Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help restore a sense of peace.

Feeling stressed? Try stretching, getting outside, or doing a home workout.
Flex your creativity Hispanic teen painting with a calm expression

Spend dedicated time on your creative hobbies or explore a new one.

Jamming out on an instrument, putting your thoughts in a poem, and doing a puzzle are just a few ways to give your mind a welcomed break.
Give back Teenage boy volunteering at a park cleanup

When you’re feeling stressed, it can be tempting to shut everything and everyone out.

Volunteering is a great way to stay connected with your community or plug into a cause you care about.
Take a tech break Hispanic teenage boy reading a book in a living room

Doomscrolling and tech fatigue are too real.

Though staying in touch with friends is great, unplugging from social media every once in a while can help reduce feelings of stress and burnout.

Choose Getting Help

If you or a friend are struggling with nicotine addiction or just need someone to talk to, help is out there.

Support with quitting

2Morrow Health

A free and anonymous app that helps you deal with difficult thoughts, urges, and cravings caused by nicotine.
download app

This is Quitting

A text-to-quit vaping service for people in Washington ages 13-24. Text DITCHVAPE to 88709.

Washington State Quitline

Offers free, confidential, 1-on-1 counseling to help people quit smoking, vaping, or other tobacco products. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

Asian smokers’ quitline

Offers free 1-on-1 counseling and resources to help people quit smoking in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and Vietnamese.
Learn more

Live Vape Free

A youth texting program for teens ages 13 to 17 that is fun, easy-to-navigate, and teaches the skills to quit vaping for good.  Text VAPEFREE to 873373.

Support with mental health

TEEN LINK

A free, confidential help line for teens by teens. Call, text, or chat 1-866-833-6546 evenings from 6pm-10pm PT.

Washington Recovery Help Line

A 24/7 confidential help line for anyone struggling with substance abuse or mental health. Call 1-866-789-1511.

Crisis text line

A free 24/7 text-based crisis intervention service. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.

Native and strong lifeline

A crisis line dedicated to supporting Washington’s American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Call or text 9-8-8 +4.

988 Suicide & Crisis lifeline

A free 24/7 crisis line that provides confidential support for those in distress. Call or text 9-8-8.

Over 90%

of Washington teens choose healthy ways to de-stress and don’t vape.32

Teenage girl eating a snack and smiling outdoors