Parents – have you heard of juuling? If you haven’t, here is some of what you need to know:
What is Teen Juuling?
Juuling is the fad among teens. It’s a form of vaping that is illegal for those under 18 (and 21, in some states.) And it is extremely addictive. The juul is an electronic cigarette that has a long, metallic, sleek design. They are colorful and at first glance look like they could be mini flash drives. The pods themselves often have a sweet smell because they are fruit or floral flavored. Teens get the chemicals for the e-cigarettes from these pods.
Anyone can easily buy juuls online. The websites that sell them are not sufficiently monitored or regulated at this time. Because of juul’s design, people can easily hide them in their hands or pockets. For this reason, parents and school staff often don’t notice when kids have juuls.
What are the dangers?
Extensive research has not yet been completed on vaping or juuling. Yale research scientist Krysten Bold reports that juuling involves breathing chemicals into your body which can potentially be a health hazard. Any time any foreign substance enters our body, it can cause health problems.
Here is what is most concerning about juuling though. According to the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse, the pods themselves contain a high dose of nicotine. In comparison, that means each pod is the nicotine equivalent of a full pack of cigarettes. Doctors and researchers report that nicotine damages the developing brain, is extremely addictive, and can be a gateway to other illegal drugs and alcohol use.
The problem becomes even worse if your child is taking ADD/ADHD medication, anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds. In that case, juuling can lead to increased anxiety, depression and increased thoughts of suicide.
What are the potential signs that my teen is juuling?
Finding these pods or the juul pen in your child’s room is one sign they are juuling. However, if your teen is complaining about a frequent sore throat, is coughing a lot, and seems more irritable or more anxious than usual, they might be juuling. The cough and sore throat are related to the side effects that vaping can have on the throat, lungs and heart.
What are the legal consequences if my child is caught juuling?
Each city ordinance is different. Cities like Park Ridge, Illinois have passed ordinances allowing police to arrest minors who are caught vaping or juuling. They will face an adjudication hearing, where they will pay $500 in fines and be required to enroll in a diversion and education program. And parents – authorities require you to attend this class with them!
Parents – if you suspect your child might be vaping or juuling, have a conversation with them. If they are juuling, explore whether there is a more serious underlying issue you should address. Counseling can help with this! Please don’t hesitate to call us with questions at 630-797-9192