Vaping devices may look like harmless gadgets and come in appealing fruit and candy flavors, but the chemicals they deliver can damage developing brains and lungs and lead to addiction, pediatrician Dr. Sara Siddiqui told children and parents at the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club on Wednesday.
Siddiqui, a Huntington-based pediatrician, delivered a presentation titled “The Truth About Vaping,” explaining how electronic cigarettes work, why nicotine is addictive and how young people can seek help if they have already started vaping.
The presentation brought together members of the club’s Keystone program, representatives from the Locust Valley School District and parents for a discussion about the health risks associated with vaping.
Melissa Rhodes, the club’s executive director, said the event provided an opportunity for young people to ask questions without fear of judgement.
“This is an opportunity,” Rhodes said. “This is a safe space to ask your questions and get answers from a doctor.”
Siddiqui explained that vaping involves heating a liquid and inhaling the resulting aerosol, which can contain nicotine, flavorings, oils, metals and other chemicals. She cautioned against the common misconception that the aerosol is simply water vapor.
“When they say vaping, we want to use the word cigarette or electronic cigarette,” Siddiqui said, “because there’s so many chemicals in there that it is quite dangerous for you to be inhaling this.”
She described how manufacturers have increasingly used fruit and candy flavors to make vaping products appealing to younger consumers. Devices have also evolved from cigarette-shaped products into compact gadgets that can be difficult for parents and teachers to recognize.
Siddiqui said the combination of appealing flavors and concentrated nicotine makes the products particularly concerning for children and teenagers.
Some vaping devices contain nicotine concentrations equivalent to hundreds of cigarettes, Siddiqui said. She identified products such as Elf Bar as examples of devices that can hold the equivalent of nearly 600 cigarettes worth of nicotine.
The dangers extend beyond the lungs. Siddiqui explained that nicotine can affect heart rate and that exposure during adolescence is particularly concerning because the brain continues developing into a person’s mid-20s.
She also discussed how vaping can interfere with the lungs’ natural protective mechanisms, potentially causing inflammation and impairing their ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Another challenge, Siddiqui said, is that vaping can be difficult for adults to detect. Unlike traditional cigarettes, vaping devices may produce little visible aerosol and can leave behind fruity or sweet smells rather than the familiar odor of tobacco smoke.
Siddiqui recommended that children establish relationships with their pediatricians and use annual checkups as opportunities to discuss vaping, mental health and other concerns. School nurses, guidance counselors and trusted teachers can also provide support.
For young people who have already developed a nicotine dependence, she stressed that quitting is possible but may require multiple attempts and professional assistance.
She discussed available resources, including text-based quit programs, counseling and medications that can help manage nicotine withdrawal. She also encouraged parents, schools and friends to support young people trying to stop rather than relying solely on punishment.
“(The punishment) shouldn’t be that we’re suspending these kids,” Siddiqui emphasized. “We shouldn’t be kicking them out of school. We should try to support them.”
During a question-and-answer session, Siddiqui also addressed vaping products containing cannabis, including tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as well as nicotine pouches and products marketed as wellness aids.
She warned that switching to products advertised as healthier alternatives does not eliminate the potential risks.
Siddiqui said the goal of educating young people is not simply to frighten them, but to give them the information they need to make informed decisions and recognize when they need help.
For more information on Grenville Baker and their work, visit their website GBBGC.org.
