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KICK THE VAPE is a citywide campaign helping young people understand the real costs of vaping so they can avoid it or quit.
dont get finessed
get help quitting
Thinking of Quitting?
A-START at CHOP
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia's Adolescent Specialized Treatment and Recovery Team offers in-person and telehealth support for teens dealing with vaping, alcohol, or other substance use.
01
Vaping & Physical Health
We know vaping can harm your physical health in many ways.
We’re still learning about the long-term effects of vaping, but studies already show vaping is linked to mouth and lung cancer. Vaping also raises the risk for heart disease, stroke, and poor lung function nearly as much as smoking cigarettes does.
Quitting can be hard, but once you do your health starts to recover. Your blood pressure and heart rate can improve, your lungs work better, and your skin looks brighter.
02
Vaping, Nicotine, and Mental Health
Nicotine adds its own risks. It is highly addictive and can be just as hard to quit as alcohol or hard drugs.
Nicotine can also create a cycle of stress. Vaping may feel like a stress break, but when the nicotine wears off, withdrawal symptoms can kick in and make you want to vape again. Quitting breaks that cycle. Many people report feeling less stressed, anxious, and depressed after they quit.
What Withdrawal can Feel Like
When people go too long without nicotine, they experience withdrawal symptoms. These can show up as:
strong urges to vape
restlessness & jumpiness
disrupted, low-quality sleep
increases in irritability, anxiety, or feeling depressed
trouble focusing, learning, & managing emotions
ready to quit?
Kick the vape and break the cycle. Many people report feeling less stressed, anxious, and depressed after they quit.
Text KICKTHEVAPE to 88709
03
WHAT’S IN A VAPE?
Vapes contain more than flavored juice. What’s inside can come with health risks.
Vape juice (also called e-liquid) is made up of nicotine, flavoring chemicals, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerin. Each of these ingredients can be harmful when heated and inhaled.
Inside the vape, a metal coil heats the vape juice as you puff, turning it into an aerosol you inhale.
As the coil heats up, it can shed tiny bits of metal into the aerosol you breathe in. So, every puff means breathing in bits of metal.
04
WHAT’S IN VAPE AEROSOL?
Vaping can harm you, even if you’ve never touched one. Like cigarette smoke, chemicals in secondhand vape aerosol can irritate your eyes and throat and worsen asthma, heart disease, and lung disease.
05
HOW MUCH NICOTINE IS IN A VAPE?
Many vapes contain much more nicotine than cigarettes. Depending on the brand, a single vape can contain as much nicotine as several packs of cigarettes. In the United States, there is no limit on how much nicotine a vape can contain. People who use nicotine have a higher chance of getting hooked on other substances down the road.
06
VAPING: ILLEGAL AND DESTRUCTIVE
On the Shelf, Against the Rules.
Being sold in stores doesn’t mean vapes are safe. Many vapes, including a lot of the popular flavored ones, are sold illegally without permission from the FDA. Even vapes labeled “nicotine-free” may still contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals. In Philadelphia, some retailers sell vapes to people under 21 years of age, which is illegal. You can report underage sales here.
Vaping Harms the Environment, Too
Most vapes today are meant to be thrown away once they’re empty, creating waste from plastic, electronics, and batteries. In the U.S., six vapes are thrown away every second.
the real deal about vaping
You may have heard...
“Cheap, sketchy vapes are the risky ones.”
the real deal
Price and packaging don't equal safety. Popular, expensive vapes may also be sold illegally and can contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals
“Nicotine is basically like caffeine because it gives you an energy boost.”
the real deal
Nicotine is highly addictive. It changes how your brain works and can cause withdrawal when you stop using it.
"Flavored vapes are basically candy, not a real drug."
the real deal
Flavor doesn't cancel out nicotine. Sweet flavors can make an addictive drug seem more appealing.
"Vaping is just a harmless phase. It won't have lasting effects.”
the real deal
We’re still learning about vaping’s long-term effects, but we already know it can harm your lungs, heart and overall health.
“Everyone I know vapes.”
the real deal
About 20% of Philadelphia high school students vape, which means most do not have one.
"Vaping is just flavored water vapor."
the real deal
Vape aerosol isn't just water. It can contain nicotine, heavy metals and other harmful chemicals.
"Vaping helps with stress."
the real deal
Vaping may feel like a stress break, but nicotine can create a cycle of withdrawal, stress and wanting to vape again.
"Vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes."
the real deal
Vape aerosol can contain many of the same harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. Vaping isn’t harmless.
"I can quit whenever I want."
the real deal
Nicotine is highly addictive, and quitting can be hard. Free support can make it easier.
"Nicotine-free vapes are safe."
the real deal
Even vapes labeled "nicotine-free" may contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals.
Everyone has a role to play in preventing youth vaping and supporting young people who vape. Here are some ways you can help.
Education
GET THE FACTS about vaping and share them with young people. Download the Youth Vaping Resource Guide for guidance on responding to and supporting young people who vape.
Media
Help spread the word. Check out DON’T GET FINESSED on social media and like, share and repost campaign content. Download the Campaign Toolkit for ready-to-share messages and materials.
Enforcement
It is illegal to sell tobacco products, including vapes, to anyone under 21. If you know a retailer selling these products to someone underage or violating tobacco sales laws in another way, report it here.
My Life, My Quit:
A free, confidential program that connects teens with a quit coach through text, chat, or phone to build a personalized plan to quit and reach milestones.
Pennsylvania Free Quitline:
People aged 18 and older can call the PA Free Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (English) or 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Spanish) to access free coaching and quit medications.
