Methods

After looking at the gap in research, I decided to conduct a survey to find out the reason that so many teens are using nicotine devices with the known risks of them. I used a survey method with questions to figure out what the reason is that they use it, how many people use it, and how long they have been using it for. I found these numbers by surveying students at the University of Iowa.

Introduction

The number of teenagers using e-cigarettes is a dangerous amount. The amount of risks that are involved with e-cigarettes are as well. As of 2017 2.1 million middle school and high school students were e-cigarette users (Martinelli). This amount is much more than people smoking actual cigarettes. Furthermore, in December of 2018 37.3% of 12^thgraders which is up from 27.8% in 2017. Another research study looked at 771 individuals who used e-cigarettes and found that 69% were male and 2/3 between 18-35, with 16% under 18. The number of teenagers vaping and using e-cigarettes is increasing. It is becoming more and more common to see teenagers with these kinds of things because of the flavors of the juice and the advertisements. They are both aimed towards kids and teenagers even though they are not allowed to be sold to minors. 

            While the number of people using e-cigarettes is increasing and still remains high, so do the number of issues involved with these nicotine devices. We know already that nicotine is harmful and extremely addictive. As of November 5^th, 2019, there have been 2051 cases of e-cigarette use associated with lung injury. There are also chemicals such as “ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs” and “flavoring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease”. Not only that but there are also “cancer-causing chemicals” and “heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead”. All of dangerous and harmful materials make up the devices that people are using. 

            As of November 5^th, 2019, there have also been 39 deaths in 24 states and Washington D.C. that have been linked to cases of lung injury from e-cigarettes. There were also 805 injuries reported in 46 states. The chemicals are likely to be inhaled into the lungs and cause “irreversible lung damage and lung diseases”. The Surgeon General reports e-cigarette use among young is a significant health concern and actions must be taken. The chemicals in these e-cigs are not only just harmful to the lungs, but also to the brain. The brain is not fully developed until age 25. The most common users of these devices are teenagers. The chemicals can cause damage. It also makes them more likely to end up using alcohol and drugs more frequently which can create another type of addiction leading to liver problems and possible overdoses. E-cigarettes also cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure increasing the chance of circulatory problems.

            With all the horrible side effects that e-cigarettes cause and the dangers they provide, one would think that would be enough to stop using. However, the amount is still increasing even after the deaths, hospitalizations, and thousands of people diagnosed with issues traced back right to vaping. So why do kids still do it? Is it easy to access? Is it fun? Are they already too addicted? That is exactly what I want to know and what I found out by surveying college students about their habits of e-cigarettes. 

Questions to Research

1. Do you use any vaping or nicotine devices?
2.  Why do you chose to use these devices?
3. When did you start using them?
4. On a scale from 1-10 how addicted do you think you are?
5. Why do you continue using it while knowing the dangers that smoking and nicotine has on your body?

topic proposal

For my topic I decided to research about nicotine in college aged students. Recently there have been deaths related to vaping, but it is still going on today. I want to know why people continue to use them and the amount of students that use it. I chose it because I feel like the amount of people who use nicotine devices are much more than some think. Two research questions are 1. how many college students use nicotine devices and 2. why do people use it even though they know it is dangerous.

My plan is to use a survey. I want to have students fill out a google doc and write their answers to the questions I provide. This way I can see the percent that use it versus those that don't, and I can see their response as to why they do or don't use these devices.