Vapor Product Information

What You Should Know About Vapor Products

Chelsey EatonWhat are Vapor Products?

Vapor products produce aerosol by heating a liquid solution. The aerosol is inhaled, referred to as "vaping." Vapor products often products contain nicotine. They also may include flavors or other substances. There are many names for vapor products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or vape pens.

There are serious health and safety concerns with vapor products. Nicotine used in vapor products is highly addictive and can damage your heart, arteries and lungs, increasing the risk for heart attack, stroke and chronic lung disease. Learn more about vapor product health and safety concerns.



Laws Regarding Vapor Products

Vapor Product Laws

In 2016, the Washington State Legislature passed a law (RCW 70.345) to regulate vapor products. Among other things, the law prohibits the sale of vapor products to people under 18 years of age, requires sellers to obtain a license and requires that vapor products in stores are inaccessible to minors. Learn more about the vapor product regulations. JUULs are covered under Washington State's Vapor Product Law.

How Vapor Affects Our Youth

A column chart showing statistics of prevalence of cigarette and e-cigarette usage

Youth Use

E-cigarette and vapor product use decreased from 18 percent to 13 percent from 2014 to 2016 (10th grade), but remains a concern because of its prevalence and association with other tobacco and substance use. As cigarette use declines, new tobacco products, such as electronic cigarette/vapor products, are also being introduced and marketed and thus contributing to the overall youth tobacco use rate. More than twice as many youth (10th graders) report using vapor products than cigarettes. The Surgeon General states that e-cigarette use is strongly associated with the use of other tobacco products among youth and young adults, particularly the use of combustible tobacco products. Among youth who vape, 32 percent also report smoking cigarettes. Learn more about e-cigarette and vapor product use rates in Washington State.

Contact Chelsey Eaton at 509-382-2181 for more Vapor Information