Dangers of E-Cigarettes, Vaping and JUULs
Tobacco Prevention
Despite enormous progress in reducing tobacco use, it remains the most common preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. Each year, about 480,000 Americans die from tobacco-related illnesses. Currently, more than 16 million Americans suffer from at least one disease caused by smoking.
Smoking-related illness in the United States costs more than $300 billion each year, including nearly $170 billion for direct medical care for adults and more than $156 billion in lost productivity.
Nearly 95% of daily adult smokers began smoking before age 21. Our prevention audiences are stratified by age, starting with youth and young adults. We use evidence-based strategies to counteract the overwhelming advertising aimed at children, young adults and adults.
Prevention Programs
E-Cigarettes and Youth
Below are resources for educators and others working with youth (last updated July 24, 2025)
ASPIRE
ASPIRE (A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience) is a free, online educational resource that delivers tobacco prevention education to teens and adolescents at a self-directed pace. ASPIRE aligns with national education standards and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The program is evidenced based and can be incorporated into health, science or technology classes. ASPIRE is available in both English and Spanish.
Tobacco and E-cigarette/Vaping Presentations
Schools in the Houston MSA can schedule tobacco and e-cigarette/vaping 101 presentations for students through MD Anderson Community Relations and Education team. If you would like to .
Vaping: Know the Truth
Truth Initiative and Kaiser Permanente, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, launched a national youth vaping prevention curriculum to educate America¡¯s youth about the health dangers of e-cigarette use and reverse the pervasive youth vaping epidemic. The program is self-led and is written and delivered in the truth, peer-to-peer voice.
Cannabis and Marijuana Prevention Toolkit
For any parents or educators who are looking for resources for students about marijuana and cannabis products, there is a from Stanford Medicine. The program is online, free, theory-based and intended for middle and high school students.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaping Prevention and Education
The United States FDA has created a resource center complete with free lessons plans and materials for teachers, students and parents.