HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawai‘i residents are increasingly sharing the emotional impact of vaping and are revealing that it’s more than a passing health trend. It is becoming a serious crisis that’s affecting many.
Vaping, once marketed as a “safer” alternative to smoking, is now linked to anxiety, depression and even sleep problems. And in a state where nearly one in four young adults use e-cigarettes, the effects are hard to ignore.
The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) is raising the alarm: Vaping isn’t just harming your lungs. It’s also affecting your mind and mood, too. The good news? Help is here, and it’s free.
If you or someone you know is thinking about quitting, here are the top things to know:
1. Vaping messes with your mental health
Many people start vaping to deal with stress. But research and personal stories show the opposite. Instead of calming you down, nicotine can make anxiety worse. It can mess with your sleep, trigger mood swings and lead to feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
One North Shore resident said vaping made it harder to sleep and focus. “I didn’t realize how much vaping was affecting my mental health,” he said. “Since I quit, I feel more upbeat and happy.”
2. Vape juice isn’t just flavored water
Despite what ads say, e-cigarette vapor is far from harmless. Vape liquid usually contains nicotine and a mix of chemicals. The long list of chemicals includes ones used in car exhaust, cleaning products and industrial solvents. Scientists have found tiny particles in vape clouds similar to what’s in polluted air.
Some of the chemicals found in vape clouds include formaldehyde, arsenic, lead and benzene. These are all substances linked to cancer, heart disease and brain damage. Even vapes labeled “nicotine-free” have been found to contain nicotine.
3. The nicotine in vapes is super strong
One disposable vape can have the same amount of nicotine as almost 600 cigarettes. That means your brain and body get hooked faster and quitting becomes much harder. Stronger nicotine levels lead to stronger withdrawal symptoms like irritability, insomnia and even panic attacks.
Teens who vape are four times more likely to start smoking cigarettes, and nearly 90% of adult tobacco users started before they turned 18.
4. Quitting improves your health; but more importantly, it changes your life
Anne G., from Hawai‘i, was featured in the CDC’s “Tips from Former Smokers” campaign. She shared how quitting helped her manage anxiety and feel healthier overall. Her story, like many others, shows that life after nicotine can feel clearer, calmer and more connected.
5. Free help is just a call or click away
In Hawai‘i, quitting is a supported journey, not something you have to do alone. The Hawai‘i Tobacco Quitline offers free, confidential help for adults at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or you can click here.
For teens, there’s My Life, My Quit Hawai‘i, a program just for youth up to age 17. It connects you with trained coaches who can help you stop vaping and stay quit.
Parents, teachers and healthcare providers can also find tools and tips on the same site to support teens who want to quit.
6. Don’t trust the vape industry. Rather, trust yourself
Vape companies want to hook you early because once you’re addicted, they’ve got a customer for life. They downplay the risks and use sweet flavors to draw people in.
But behind the fruit flavors and flashy designs researchers and communities believe it’s an addictive product that harms both body and mind.
If you’re ready to stop vaping, or even just thinking about it, remember: every day without nicotine is a win.
You deserve to breathe easy, sleep well and feel your best — and help is always available when you’re ready.