It is illegal for anyone under 21 in Virginia to purchase, use or possess any tobacco or nicotine product. It is also illegal for anyone to purchase tobacco products for (or sell to) underage youth. Nicotine in any form is highly addictive.

E-cigarettes/vapes are the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. and Chesterfield County youth. Vapes may contain nicotine, although they may be used to deliver marijuana and other drugs. Other tobacco products youth may use include cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, nicotine pouches and synthetic nicotine products.

Most youth who vape or use tobacco products want to quit. If you talk to youth early and often about substance use, including tobacco and nicotine, they are more likely to respect your rules and advice. Here are resources that offer help:

• Live Vape Free: LiveVapeFreeVA.org or text VapeFreeVA to 873-373
• This is Quitting: text DITCHVAPE to 88709
• American Cancer Society: cancer.org/healthy
• SAMHSA: samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you
• CDC: cdc.gov/tobacco