How two teens kicked their vaping habits

Many teens start vaping because it seems like an innocent habit. Pretty soon, though, they find themselves hooked on the harmful nicotine that is so efficiently delivered by the tiny devices into their still-developing bodies. The devices become an extension of their arms.

Jason*, 19, started Juuling last year to kick a two-year smoking habit. By January 2020, though, the college sophomore was Juuling a pod a day. He knew that one pod of Juul contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes, but he was addicted to Juuling. Jason did it almost everywhere—in the bathroom, in the car, and even in the middle of a bowling game.

Sixteen-year-old King*, on the other hand, began experimenting with his older brother’s three vape devices two years ago. Some of the devices had a “function which allowed the user to adjust the intensity of the smoke,” he says. He mistakenly believed that vaping was a harmless activity he could share with his brother and friends. King did not have his own vape device, so he often borrowed the devices of his friends to get his nicotine fix.

Today, both Jason and King have turned over a new leaf. They have quit vaping: Jason in February 2020; and King in December 2018. Here’s how they broke free from the clutches of nicotine.

They didn’t have their vaping devices

Vapers can quit the habit easier if they can get rid of their devices. In the case of Jason and King, someone took the gadgets — and the temptation to vape — away from them.

Jason thought he was doing a good job of hiding the habit — until his grandfather found out and all hell broke loose. The old man pays his tuition, and he found out about Jason’s vaping habit last February. He gave his grandson an ultimatum: Quit vaping, or quit school.

Jason bit the bullet. On the spot, he surrendered his vape device to his grandfather. “I’m not putting my education at risk,” he says.

King’s vaping came to an end in 2018, when his brother lost his job. “My brother did not have enough money to buy vape juices,” he says. “He sold his three vape devices to raise funds.”

They quit cold turkey

For Jason and King, gradually cutting back on their vaping was not an option. They had to stop all at once. This may have helped both of them to stay quit. Experts suggest that quitting cold turkey may be the most effective way to quit for some people.

Research has shown that smokers who quit abruptly were more likely to quit successfully than those who gradually cut back. While the research dealt with cigarette smokers, its findings may also apply to vapers since both groups are addicted to nicotine.

For Jason, shifting his mindset made quitting cold turkey easier. Initially, he was angry at the helper who told his grandfather about his vaping. He craved the nicotine buzz and was irritated at the littlest things.

But he soon accepted that he had no choice but to quit if he wanted to stay in school. He says, “I faced it that I could not do anything about the situation and that, eventually, I’ll be OK, knowing that I’m not doing anything behind my grandfather’s back.”  

They replaced vaping with healthier habits

People who stop vaping usually find that they have more time on their hands. They have the opportunity to start activities that make them feel good.

To keep his mind off vaping, King started doing close-up magic tricks and calisthenics. Doing this type of magic tricks requires much focus, as the magician performs them right in front of the audience’s nose. And the exercises using only one’s body weight have made him leaner and stronger.

Jason found working out “helpful when I started to crave vaping,” he says. He follows an exercise regimen that includes weightlifting. Jason says, “I am now vaping- and cigarette-free.”

They had the support of their families

People who quit vaping are under a lot of stress, as they struggle to break free from nicotine. They need to know that they can count on their loved ones for emotional support.

The tough love from Jason’s grandfather led him to realize that his education matters more than his vice. On the other hand, King is grateful to an aunt who is a staunch advocate against vaping. She was the one who encouraged him to quit. Now, King enjoys a better relationship with his parents, who disapproved of his vaping.

They realized that vaping is bad for the health—and pocket

King’s aunt asked him to attend fora where the boy learned how harmful vaping really is for teens like him. King says that he learned how vaping “affects our memory and ability to concentrate and results in unhealthy skin.”

Studies show that nicotine poisons the teenage brain. It can impair attention, learning, and memory, and can prime the brain for addiction.

There are many ways in which vaping can harm the skin, says Dr. Winlove P. Mojica, a clinical associate professor, division of dermatology, at the Philippine General Hospital - University of the Philippines Manila.

He says: “The fumes produced in vaping can cause contact dermatitis due to the aerosolized flavorings and colorings of the vape liquid. Those with nickel allergy may also suffer an exacerbation of their eczema since vape equipment usually use heating equipment which may be coated with nickel. The skin may become red, itchy, and may ooze depending on the severity of the reaction. Vaping can also cause irritation and dryness of the lips and oral mucosa.”

Moreover, e-cigarettes can blow up and seriously injure users. Two years ago, 17-year-old King Sardea’s e-cigarette exploded while he was using it. The blast badly burned his face, tearing out part of his tongue and knocking out many of his teeth.

Vaping can also burn a hole in one’s pocket. Jason rues having spent so much money on his vice. He blew P3,100 on two devices. He also bought countless pods, which cost P175 each. Jason says, “If I could get back the money I spent, I’d probably spend it on bowling gear, or a new pair of sneakers, or food.” — LA, GMA News

* Names have been changed to protect the identity of the interviewees.

This story was produced under the “Nagbabagang Kuwento Media Fellowship Program Cycle 4” by Probe Media Foundation Inc. (PMFI) and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CFTFK). The views and opinions expressed in this piece are not necessarily those of PMFI and CFTFK.