What is Juuling? And What Should You Do if Your Kids Are Doing it?

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who would deny the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes. But what about Juuling? Ja-what?, you might say. Juuling—or vaping—is a new trend amongst teenagers around the country. And though many teens think it’s cool, is it really that different than lighting up a traditional cigarette?

A Juul is a brand of e-cigarette, and juuling has evolved as a verb that essentially means vaping. The vape pen heats pods of liquid nicotine that the user inhales. These pods come in a variety of flavors, ranging from creme brulee and mango to cool mint and Virginia tobacco. Each Juul cartridge—which lasts about 200 puffs—has as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes, according to TIME.

There has been a sharp decline in teens smoking traditional cigarettes, but an increase in teens using e-cigarettes, according to the CDC.

“The problem with the juuling device is they say they are manufactured for adults, but it is manufactured in a way that appeals to children,” Deborah Wheeler, superintendent of the Upper Dublin school district in eastern Pennsylvania, told the Washington Post. “Students don’t realize it is still dangerous and harmful to their health.”

A Juul resembles a flash drive and can be charged in a laptop’s USB port, making it technologically friendly and easy to conceal.

But the company who manufactured Juul is adamant that the product is not meant for kids, with a rep telling TIME: “It was absolutely not made to look like a USB port. It was absolutely not made to look discreet, for kids to hide them in school. It was made to not look like a cigarette, because when smokers stop they don’t want to be reminded of cigarettes.”

Regardless, statistics show teens are turning towards vaping products and there are real dangers. The CDC warns that, although there is still much research to be done on the long-term effects of e-cigarette use, they contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can harm adolescent brain development and lungs.

So what should you do if you suspect your teen or their friends may be juuling? The Surgeon General recommends parents:

Find the right moment. Rather than saying “we need to talk,” wait for a more natural moment, such as witnessing someone using an e-cigarette. Ask your teen what they think about the situation.
Be patient and ready to listen. Avoid criticism and encourage an open dialogue.
Be prepared to answer questions. Know the facts, and use credible information to answer any questions your teen may have.
Set a positive example. If you expect your teen to be tobacco-free, you should refrain from tobacco use of any kind as well.