QUIT NOW

The tobacco industry is addicting our kids with harmful nicotine

The tobacco industry’s replacement customers can’t legally buy their products but that hasn’t stopped the billion-dollar, Big Tobacco marketing machine from targeting kids with social media ads, fun flavors, and products that appear less harmful than their parent’s cigarettes.1

The tobacco industry has doubled down on addicting young people as their business model – harming kids’ health as they experiment with new products and flavors to see what sticks. Flavors such as menthol, Blue Razz, Banana Ice, and Arctic Cool Mint were created by the industry to mask the harsh taste of tobacco, which kids don’t like, making tobacco products easier to start using and even harder to quit.23 Big Tobacco depends on young people using their products to make a profit and keep them in business.4 And flavored vapes are kids’ product of choice.3 Teens who vape are 3x more likely to become daily cigarette smokers.5

Most California high school students who use tobacco use vapes.3 Vaping allows higher concentrations of nicotine to be inhaled and absorbed more easily than other tobacco products like cigarettes.6 Nicotine – which is as addictive as heroin – is poison for the developing brain and rewires the brain to crave more of it.78 This creates nicotine withdrawal symptoms like headaches, restlessness, and the inability to concentrate.91011 We know that nicotine can affect learning and increase anxiety, mood swings, and irritability.12131415

It’s not all about vapes though. Other tobacco products are just as appealing for their wide array of flavors and low-cost ease of purchasing, such as smokeless tobacco like snus or chew, and little cigars and cigarillos.1617 Unfortunately, these are also harmful to the developing brain and body because they also contain nicotine.18

This is the moment to break the cycle of addiction. We have the power to create a better, tobacco-free future in California and that starts with keeping Big Tobacco from targeting our kids for disease and death.

GET EDUCATED

Nicotine poisons the adolescent brain

Nicotine is an extremely addictive poison and neurotoxin that is especially dangerous for young people’s developing brains.7111920

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Parents’ Guide on Nicotine Addiction

Help prevent the dangers of nicotine addiction.

Kids will use any e-cigarette they can get their hands on easily. They are buying credit card type gift cards then using those to purchase the devices online. We’ve seen every shape, size and brand come through our office.”

Vice Principal — California Middle School

One of the biggest problems with vaping is how paranoid and easily irritated I am.”

Student, 15 years old — Mono County

As usual, my kid knew more about the subject than I did, but I was ready. The conversation starters helped make this important talk not just another lecture.”

Jennifer, Parent — San Francisco

Signs your kid may be addicted to nicotine

Are there sweet, fruity, or menthol smells coming from behind closed doors?

Read about the sale of flavored tobacco

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Are there school supplies like thumb drives or tech products you don’t recognize in your kid’s backpack or room? How about small vials, eye dropper bottles, chargers, coils or batteries?

Learn to identify vapes

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Are your kids suffering from more frequent headaches or nausea?21

Learn more

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Have there been changes in your kid’s behavior such as increased mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or impulsivity?11314152223

Learn about nicotine and the adolescent brain

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Is your teen spending more money than usual or making unexplained purchases?

Learn more

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Help prevent the dangers of nicotine addiction.

View the full guide

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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.2425

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Even for people who don’t use tobacco, there can be deadly consequences.26

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The industry calls kids their “replacement customers.” Big Tobacco sentences them to a lifetime of addiction and disease.27

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This racist and unjust industry has strategically targeted certain communities with deadly products and manipulative messaging.28

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No one’s safe from the environmental damage and health risks from toxic tobacco waste and its plastic pollution.29303132333435

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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.3637

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UNDO fights Big Tobacco's deadly epidemic with bold campaigns for healthier California communities.
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