Nicotine Addiction Among Teenagers

By Lilah G

Nicotine is one of the most commonly used addictive substances in the United States, especially among teenagers. Most people think of cigarettes when they hear the word nicotine, but it is also found in vapes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and nicotine pouches. In Colorado, nicotine use has become very common, especially in high schools, which makes it an important issue to talk about.

Nicotine is a stimulant, which means it speeds up how the brain and body communicate. When someone uses nicotine, it enters the bloodstream quickly and reaches the brain within seconds. It causes the brain to release dopamine, which is a chemical that makes you feel good. That feeling does not last long, though, so people often keep using nicotine to feel that same effect again. Over time, the brain starts to depend on it, which can lead to addiction.

Nicotine affects the body in several ways. It increases heart rate and blood pressure, which forces the heart to work harder than normal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nicotine can also narrow blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease. For teenagers, the risks are even more serious because the brain is still developing. Using nicotine at a young age can affect attention, learning, mood, and self control. Since the brain keeps developing until around age 25, this is concerning for many students.

In Colorado, vaping has been especially popular among teens. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment has reported that vaping rates among high school students have been high compared to other states. Flavored vape products and social media trends make it look harmless or even cool. Some people also think vaping is safer than smoking, but nicotine is still highly addictive no matter how it is used.

Some students at Mountain Range High School shared their thoughts on the issue. A sophomore at Mountain Range said they see vaping happen often at school. “It feels like a lot of people do it just because their friends are doing it,” the student said. “Some people don’t really think about the long term effects. They just think it’s normal.”

Another student talked about how it affects friendships. “I have friends who vape and I worry about them sometimes,” a junior at Mountain Range added. “They say they could quit whenever they want, but they keep using it every day. It makes it seem like it’s harder to stop than people think.”

When someone becomes addicted to nicotine, it can be hard to quit. They might experience withdrawl symptoms like irritability, anxiety, headaches, and trouble focusing. Many teens do not realize how quickly addiction can happen until they feel like they need it just to get through the day.