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Addicting Kids

The effects of nicotine on the adolescent brain

The tobacco industry’s predatory and insidious marketing to youth seems to be endless, as the industry continues to introduce and promote products that appeal to and attract youth.1 And nicotine is at the center of Big Tobacco’s business plan to profit off young people by addicting them and making them customers for life.2

When a poison is addictive

Especially dangerous is the appeal of products such as vapes and oral nicotine pouches to teens and young adults, who don’t fully understand the health harms. Nicotine is toxic for kids and young adults with developing brains, as they are more at risk for both the addictiveness and harm of nicotine.3 And because brain development continues until about the age of 25, nicotine can have negative impacts well into young adulthood.4 Simply put, the effects of nicotine on the brain are poisonous for young people.56

  • Nicotine changes the way connections form in the brain.7
  • Nicotine can interfere with attention and learning.8
  • Nicotine can increase anxiety, mood swings, and irritability.91011

Effects like these are especially bad for youth, who are still learning and developing life-long habits. While some of these behaviors can be just adolescent phases, the effects of nicotine on the teenage brain can be permanent.12 Nicotine use can lead to long-term effects on the ability to make decisions and can also leave teens with an increased risk of addiction to other substances.71415 All in all, nicotine and brain development are a dangerous combo.

“In addition to addiction, nicotine can increase anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and learning difficulties.”

DR. PAM LING

Addictive nicotine salts

Even more concerning is the new kind of high-powered nicotine that many tobacco companies use in vapes and oral nicotine pouches called nicotine salts.

  • Tobacco companies often use nicotine salts instead of regular nicotine.16
  • Nicotine salts allow higher concentrations to be inhaled more easily, and absorbed more quickly, than regular nicotine.17
  • Whether it’s regular nicotine or nicotine salts, addiction happens fast and can lead to further substance abuse.1819

Flavored tobacco products

Flavors added to tobacco products such as mango and strawberry mask the harsh taste of tobacco and the presence of nicotine, a chemical known to be as addictive as heroin.201

There is nothing good about nicotine. Click here for quit support for yourself or to help a young person quit vapes and other tobacco products.

addicting-kids/the-effects-of-nicotine-on-the-adolescent-brain

Explore the tobacco industry’s damage

The tobacco industry currently spends billions each year on slick marketing tactics and political influence so they can profit off death and disease.

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Even for people who don’t use tobacco, there can be deadly consequences.

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The industry calls kids their “replacement customers. Big Tobacco sentences them to a lifetime of addiction and disease.

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This racist and unjust industry has strategically targeted certain communities with deadly products and manipulative messaging.

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No one’s safe from the environmental damage and health risks from toxic tobacco waste and its plastic pollution.

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Hold the industry accountable

California has already protected people from other harmful products, and it's time to hold the tobacco industry to the same standards.

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