The fourth annual Healthy Kids Summit, hosted by BlackDoctor.org, opened with a powerful discussion on one of today’s most urgent youth health issues: vaping and tobacco use among children and teens. Under the theme “Vaping Unmasked: The Real Dangers for Growing Lungs,” the panel featured experts who brought both medical insight and public health perspective:
- Brian King, epidemiologist and Executive Vice President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
- Dr. Winifred J. Booker, pediatric dentist and director of the Children’s Oral Health Institute
- Dr. Anastasia Williams, pediatrician and president-elect of the Association of Black Women Physicians
The Growing Epidemic
Moderator Shameika Rhymes set the stage by highlighting how vaping has become a national epidemic, disproportionately affecting Black youth. While e-cigarettes were once marketed as a “safer alternative” to traditional cigarettes, panelists stressed that safer does not mean safe.
“We know that as a general product class, they have lower risk than a cigarette. But that doesn’t mean there’s no risk. Cigarettes are a big comparator, with 7,000 chemicals and 70 carcinogens. These products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, can harm the developing adolescent brain, and can prime the brain for addiction to other things. It’s important to understand those risks and make sure kids are educated as the science continues to emerge about the adverse health effects,” Dr. King explained.
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What Parents Need to Know
The panelists broke down vaping for parents who may not even recognize what their children are using. Vapes and e-cigarettes, they explained, come in many forms—some resembling everyday objects like pens or highlighters. These devices heat liquid into an aerosol that contains nicotine, ultrafine particles, volatile chemicals, and even heavy metals. Despite fruity or candy-like flavors and deceptive branding, none of these products are harmless.
The Health Risks
- Oral health: Dr. Booker sees vaping’s impact firsthand in her dental practice—from gum disease and dry mouth to increased cavities and tooth discoloration.
- Lung health: Dr. Williams warned of airway damage, chronic bronchitis, reduced exercise tolerance, and even hospitalization when vapes are mixed with substances like THC and vitamin E acetate.
- Brain development: Nicotine exposure can alter attention, mood, and behavior, increasing risks for depression, anxiety, and ADHD-like symptoms. Since brain development continues until about age 26, adolescents are especially vulnerable.
Why Kids Start—and How They Get Access
Peer influence, social media trends, and aggressive marketing of flavored products all drive vaping’s popularity. Dr. King noted that most youth obtain vapes through social sources—friends, peers, or even family members. Though the legal purchase age is 21, loopholes and informal networks allow teens to access these products with relative ease.
“Flavors are a key driver of youth use. The advertising will lead a horse to water, the flavors get them to drink, and the nicotine keeps them coming back for more. That trifecta is driving youth e-cigarette use, just like similar factors drove cigarette use decades ago. About 90% of kids who are using e-cigarettes are using flavored varieties,” Dr. King shared.
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A Call to Action for Parents and Caregivers
The panelists urged parents to:
- Talk openly with teens about vaping, focusing on health and long-term goals rather than judgment.
- Be aware of peer and social media influence, and surround kids with positive environments and role models.
- Recognize signs of vaping, including unfamiliar devices, scents, or behavioral changes.
- Support stricter regulations and enforcement to limit youth access to vaping products.
Dr. Williams also encouraged parents not to take offense when doctors ask to speak with teens privately during checkups. These moments give young people a safe space to be honest about behaviors like vaping.
Protecting the Next Generation
Ultimately, the discussion underscored that vaping is far from harmless. From the teeth and gums to the lungs and brain, the risks for children and teens are significant and lasting. By educating families, strengthening community support, and addressing the social pressures that fuel experimentation, the panel emphasized that we can protect young people from the hidden dangers of vaping.
