BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Do you know what to do if your teen is caught vaping? Broken Arrow parents got a lesson in it Tuesday night.
Light of Hope gave a presentation about the dangers of teen vaping. They said it’s happening everywhere and the effects of vaping, such as severe lung disease, will increase if it isn’t monitored. They also said vaping doesn’t only affect the lungs.
“It affects every body system," said Brice Harader-Pate, a nurse practitioner. "The brain, the stomach, the intestines, the neurologic system and the lugs because we inhale those chemicals directly. And what it does is causes a mass release of inflammation. Types of cells that just cause mucus to fill-up the lungs. It causes constriction, like what you would see with asthma and we can't get air in or out. It can lead to devastating side effects and even death."
Layla Freeman, CEO and Founder of Light of Hope, said vaping is highly addictive for teens.
“When these kids start using it as a cool object to do, they don’t realize how quickly they fall into needing it," Freeman said. "And then obviously it’s a gateway to marijuana and unfortunately, we’re seeing meth and other substances used in it as well.”
Harader-Pate and Freeman said the best thing you can do is talk to your teen and educate them about the dangers of vaping.
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