Commentary: Teen shares cautionary tale of e-cigarette addiction

Vaping had taken over my life, to the point that I was spending $150 per week on e-cigarettes. Then, at 16, I had a six-minute grand mal seizure, which landed me in the hospital. That was the tipping point.”

At the age of 14, I started using e-cigarettes to fit in with the “cool crowd.” Being so young, I thought it was harmless.

Quickly, my nicotine addiction grew out of control. I was going through four Juul pods a day, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one Juul pod is equivalent to a pack of 20 cigarettes. At that rate, I was up to 80 cigarettes a day.

I went from being a straight-A student to a failing student. I quit sports and stopped going to Boy Scouts. I couldn’t focus and was very irritable. All I could think about was getting my next hit of nicotine. I had intense mood swings and was becoming a person that neither my parents nor myself recognized. Physically, I lost weight, and my face was sunken in. I was experiencing insomnia and shakiness.

Vaping had taken over my life, to the point that I was spending $150 per week on e-cigarettes. I was selling my clothes and shoes to be able to support my habit. Then, at 16, I had a six-minute grand mal seizure, which landed me in the hospital.

That was the tipping point. My parents forced me to get professional help. I spent nearly 40 days in a rehab facility in California for nicotine addiction. Rehab was not a fun experience; it was hard work, and I was going through intense nicotine withdrawal.

Thankfully, the treatment program worked. I started to become myself again, and I went on to earn my rank as an Eagle Scout. Now, I am honored to share my journey with teens across Delaware and the nation.

I wish someone would have explained the dangers of e-cigarettes and how they are not just water vapor. I encourage teens to think about what their “reason” is for vaping and ask them to consider if it’s something that aligns with their values. I tell parents concerned about their teen vaping to be accepting and supportive. Shaming your child will not help but instead push them away.

E-cigarette use is a growing epidemic among teens across the United States. I hope that sharing my story will help them think twice and not be afraid to seek help for an addiction. There is hope and support available.

Luka Kinard is a national speaker who spreads awareness on the dangers of e-cigarettes. He is the keynote presenter for the 2022 Kick Butts Generation (KBG) Virtual Summit, a free event for Delaware teens, going on through May 27. Registration for the event is through May 6 at https://kbgde.org/virtual-youth-summit-2022-reg/.