Despite all we know about the dangers of tobacco use, new products are constantly entering the market and luring teens into using them. Social media glamorization, peer pressure and misunderstanding of the dangers of these products are troubling. Is another generation poised to struggle with lifelong addiction to nicotine and tobacco?
As a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente in Orange County, California, Afif El-Hasan, MD, sees the damage these products are doing to our youth every day. “The issue we have is no matter why they pick them up, these products are very addictive. So once someone starts using them, it can be very hard to stop,” he explained.
Vaping products and nicotine pouches are frequently advertised as safer alternatives to smoking, but Dr. El-Hasan warns against believing these claims. These products contain dozens of harmful chemicals, and many actually have higher levels of nicotine than cigarettes, making them more addictive. Newer on the scene are nicotine pouches, which are advertised as safer because you are not inhaling anything. Though we are still studying long term effects, we know that those pouches contain toxic products like formaldehyde, which can cause receding gums, mouth and throat inflammation and even impaired cognitive functions. “It’s important to understand that these products are not safe and they are not an acceptable alternative to smoking. If someone wants to quit smoking, they need to talk to their doctor, join a program and not become addicted to something new.”
How Tobacco Products Impacts Your Body
Nicotine, the main component in tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches is a chemical that interacts with receptors in the brain and over time alters brain chemistry. This is especially damaging to children and teenagers whose brains are still developing. “It affects the brain's ability to retain information and can lead to attention problems. It affects impulse control so it can cause the same effects as ADHD or make ADHD even worse,” Dr. El-Hasan said.
Additionally, using these products is proven to increase stress, worsen anxiety and depression, and can lead to emotional distress and mood swings. Ironically, many people start to use tobacco products or tobacco alternatives to ease anxiety and depression and instead heighten their effects with use.
Beyond that, many of the products that are marketed as being ‘less toxic’ have been shown to hurt the lungs, liver and kidneys. “I have patients who don’t understand why they’re short of breath, but research has shown that using these products reduces lung function,” explained Dr. El-Hasan.
Using multiple products at the same time, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, can be even more dangerous than using either product alone. "The use of multiple products cause very high levels of nicotine in the blood. Additionally, each product contains different chemicals that, when mixed together, could cause unanticipated and dangerous reactions."
Dr. El-Hasan explained that because these chemicals vary by product, the combinations could be causing long term damage to all parts of the body, though they may not have symptoms now. “Kids need to understand that what they do now; they will be able to look back 10 or 20 years from now and see the consequences of their good or bad decisions.”
Talking to Your Teen About the Dangers of Using
The problem is these newer products can be more discreetly used, as they do not smell or emit a visible cloud of smoke. Because of this, parents need to be more aware of subtle signs and symptoms their teen may be vaping or using nicotine pouches. Teens who are unusually susceptible to illness and have difficulty fighting off colds or flu, or who experience behavioral changes, intense moods or changes in friendships, are just a few. “I think it’s important for every parent to keep in mind that you know the norm for your child so if you are smelling unusual, sweet smells around the house or money is going unaccounted for, talk to your teen.”
Starting that conversation, however, is easier said than done. For teenagers in particular it is hard to overcome the pressure of friends, but Dr. El-Hasan believes giving them the information up front is a great first step. “You don’t want to scold them, instead you have to let them know what is going to happen if they use these products,” he explained.
Luckily, there are a number of great resources out there that can help you talk about addiction and the health implications, and Dr. El-Hasan urges parents not to forget that their healthcare provider can also be a great resource. “As a physician, I treat it as if they have a serious illness,” he said. “I say I am worried about what it has done to your body and suggest a lung function test, or blood test and explain what I am looking for. I think it is more effective than scolding because it underscores the seriousness and consequences of what they are doing and makes it harder for them to ignore the effects.”
He has also found that coaches and physical education directors can be great allies when they are also advocates for a tobacco and nicotine-free lifestyle. Since they are focused on physical performance, many coaches stress a healthy lifestyle as an essential part of training to become a top athlete. “Addressing any underlying stressors that may have led to usage and working toward creating good habits is a blame-free way to help your teen and show concern,” Dr. El-Hasan continued.
The trick is not to turn a blind eye, as these products are everywhere and they aren’t disappearing any time soon. “Parents need to stay involved and talk to their kids early and often because they are being inundated with messaging that promotes using nicotine,” he said. “These tobacco companies are trying to exploit teens and get them hooked so that they create a lifetime customer.”
To learn more about teen tobacco use and how to talk to them, visit our website.
Blog last updated: February 13, 2026
