The

Facts

First Thing’s First, Nicotine

Nicotine is a poisonous, addictive chemical found in vapes, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pouches, and other commercial tobacco products.

Mental Health

An orange, blobby cartoon character with gray clouds above their head. Rain drops are falling on the character.

Vaping’s Empty Promise

80% of teens start vaping to cope with stress and anxiety. The irony? Teens who vape are 20% more likely to report feeling anxious, twice as likely to experience depression, and have higher rates of suicidal thoughts.

Vape → Short feeling of relief → Withdrawals set in → Headaches, stress, nausea, cravings → Vape

A Vicious Cycle

Vaping is designed to get you hooked and keep you hooked. The cycle of nicotine dependence goes like this.

The top of a young man’s head, with sunglasses propped up on his forehead. He looks like he’s pondering something.

Three jittering cartoon lightning bolts dance above the young man’s head

Be Kind to
Your Mind

90% of those who quit vaping said they felt less stressed, anxious or depressed. And, 50% of teens who quit say they feel more in control. Take care of your mental health — your future self will thank you!

See: Colliding Crises: Youth Mental Health and Nicotine Use (PDF)

Physical Health

Two young people, one giving a piggyback ride to the other. Both are smiling and they’re standing in front of a blue sky.

It’s Not Just in Your Head

Nicotine is harmful to your body, too. Click on specific areas of the figure below to learn about nicotine’s effects.

Brain

Nicotine can have a long-lasting effect on your attention, impulse control, mood, and reward sensitivity. Vaping also increases the likelihood and symptoms of ADHD.

Heart

The dangerous chemicals in vapes can cause heart disease.

Lungs

Vaping has links to asthma, chronic lung disease, and cancer.

A white, smiling, blobby figure. Their organs are highlighted.

All Organs

Heavy metals found in vapes can lead to organ damage.

A blobby figure made up of a gradient of different sized dots.

DNA

The benzene in vapes can damage DNA.

Brain Heart Lungs All Organs DNA

A look inside

The Vape

Three jittery drawings of different kinds of vapes.

Formaldehyde

Used in disinfectant and known to cause cancer.

Chlorine

Found in disinfectant and known to cause lung damage.

Benzene

Used in bug spray and known to damage DNA.

Mercury

Found in batteries and known to damage fertility.

Acrolein

Used in weed killer and known to be toxic to the heart and lungs.

Arsenic

Used in poisons and known to damage internal organs.

Heavy Metals

Metals like nickel, tin and lead that can lead to organ damage.

And this is just the tip of the toxic iceberg.
See: Vaping harms your health

Big tobacco’s
big target

Candy King flavored vape juices, designed to look like kids’ candies.

Juice Box flavored vape juice, designed to look like an apple juice box for kids.

Big Tobacco doesn’t care about your safety, your health, or your peace of mind. They care about one thing: money. It’s why the tobacco industry targets teens with sweet flavors and sleek designs. They want to get you hooked so you become a customer for life. See: 9 of the Strategies Big Tobacco Uses to Target Kids

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Visit health.mn.gov/tobacco (opens new window) to learn even more about commercial tobacco use in Minnesota.

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