More on Vaping - Fasten Your Seat BeltsMore on Vaping - Fasten Your Seat Belts
The Addiction Podcast - Point of No Return
Joanie Sigal and Michael DeLeon discuss youth vaping, highlighting how e‑cigarettes are marketed to children and the health risks they may face. The conversation focuses on parents, schools and communities who want to protect young people from nicotine and THC addiction.
33:46•9 Sept 2019
Fasten Your Seat Belts: The Hard Truth About Kids and Vaping
Episode Overview
- Youth vaping is described as a major social and health crisis, with particular concern for respiratory disease among young people.
- Michael DeLeon states that the tobacco industry has intentionally targeted children through electronic devices, flavours, social media and film product placement.
- Studies cited in the conversation suggest many teens who start on vapes move on to cigarettes, and a significant portion may be using THC in their devices.
- Parents’ own use of substances, including vaping, is said to increase the likelihood that their children will vape or use other drugs.
- Schools are seeing students quietly hand in devices and seek help, highlighting the need for informed support rather than assuming vaping is harmless compared to smoking.
“I really truly believe it's the number one social health crisis facing kids, facing parents.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety when a new threat keeps popping up in schools and homes? This episode of The Addiction Podcast zooms in on vaping, especially among young people, and why some experts see it as “the number one social health crisis facing kids.” Host Joanie Sigal brings back the hot topic after strong reactions to a previous conversation with former deputy Dan Zito, this time sitting down with prevention advocate Michael DeLeon.
Michael spends much of his life in school auditoriums talking to students, parents and staff about vaping, and he doesn't mince words. As he puts it, “All you're doing is justifying an addiction” when adults argue online that vaping is safe. The conversation stays firmly focused on kids rather than adults who choose to vape. You’ll hear Michael explain how the tobacco industry, through e‑cigarettes, has targeted young people with flavours, social media marketing, film product placement and teen-focused advertising.
He cites studies showing teens who start with vapes are more likely to move on to cigarettes and other substances, and warns that devices are fast becoming “a drug delivery system for every drug on earth.” Michael shares what he sees on the ground in schools: teens handing in their devices, realising they’re hooked on nicotine, then quietly asking school nurses for help.
He also raises concerns about THC vapes, heavy metal exposure from devices made in China, and what he calls a coming “pulmonary pandemic.” This episode is aimed squarely at parents, carers, teachers and anyone in recovery who wants to protect the next generation. If you’ve ever shrugged and thought “at least it’s not smoking,” this conversation might make you think again. Are you ready to ask what’s really in that vape your child thinks is harmless?
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