Nicotine Information

Nicotine shows up in many forms, including vaping and tobacco products. While some people use nicotine to relax or socialize, it鈥檚 important to understand how nicotine works, the risks involved and ways to reduce harm.

This page shares information to help you make informed choices and find support if you want it.

探花视频 Nicotine

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance found in cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and most vape products. It acts as a stimulant, affecting the brain, heart and nervous system.

Many nicotine products are easy to use frequently, which can increase tolerance and dependency over time鈥攅specially for young adults. Young adults are more vulnerable to addiction because the brain is still developing until the age of 25.

Nicotine Products

听Vaping

Most vape products deliver nicotine through an aerosol created by heating a liquid (鈥渧ape juice鈥). In addition to nicotine, vape products may contain:

  • Propylene glycol
  • Glycerol
  • Flavoring chemicals
  • Heavy metal particles from the device

These substances can irritate or damage the lining of the lungs, which is why vaping should be approached with caution.

听Oral Nicotine Pouches (Zyn)听

The long-term health effects of oral nicotine pouches are still unknown. What we do know is that these products are highly addictive. Using nicotine as a young adult can be , as it may negatively affect brain development and increase impulsive behaviors.

听Tobacco Products听

Tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and dip. Tobacco use is linked to a wide range of health concerns, including cancer, heart disease and respiratory illness.

Research also shows that:

  • People who smoke get sick (cold, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis) more often
  • Using tobacco while on hormonal birth control increases the risk of stroke and blood clots
  • Smoking affects circulation, slowing healing and increasing injury risk
  • Smokeless tobacco contains carcinogens linked to cancers of the mouth, esophagus and pancreas

Nicotine and tobacco use also have significant financial, environmental and global labor impacts.

Understanding Nicotine Labels, Devices and Strength

Many vape products contain nicotine, but nicotine鈥慺ree options are available and may be a safer choice for those wanting to avoid addiction.

If you choose to use nicotine鈥慴ased products:

  • Look for lower鈥慸ose options (about 1.5鈥3 mg)
  • Lower levels can help reduce cravings without overwhelming your system
  • Always read labels carefully

Additionally, not all vape devices work the same way. Power (wattage) affects how much nicotine you inhale.

  • High鈥憄owered devices (20+ watts), such as box vapes, deliver nicotine more rapidly
  • These should be paired with lower鈥慸ose vape juice to reduce side effects

Understanding your device helps you manage dosage and risk.

Being Intentional 探花视频 Nicotine Use

If you currently use nicotine or are thinking about it, taking time to reflect can help you feel more in control of your choices.听

Some people use nicotine to:

  • Reduce cigarette or other tobacco use
  • Socialize with friends
  • Feel a buzz
  • Enjoy flavors

Some things people often want to avoid include:

  • Becoming dependent on nicotine
  • Negative health effects
  • Spending more money than intended

Checking in with what you want鈥攁nd don鈥檛 want鈥攆rom nicotine use can help guide safer decisions. You can also to help you reflect on your nicotine use.

Ways to Reduce Risk and Stay Safer

If you choose to use nicotine, these strategies can help reduce harm. Please note: Harm鈥憆eduction strategies lower risk but do not make nicotine use risk鈥慺ree.

Know your limits

Nicotine tolerance varies from person to person, especially if you鈥檙e new to use. Starting low and going slow can help reduce unwanted effects.

Consuming too much nicotine can cause:

  • Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain
  • Headaches
  • Anxiety or restlessness
  • Sweating
  • Confusion
  • Breathing difficulty
  • Tremors or seizures

If you experience these symptoms within 15鈥60 minutes of vaping:

  • Call Poison Control at 800鈥222鈥1222
  • Follow up with a healthcare provider

Reducing how often or how much you use can lower health risks.听

Avoid mixing and overuse

Nicotine use can increase when vaping indoors or throughout the day, leading some people to consume more nicotine overall than when smoking cigarettes.

Mixing nicotine with other substances can also increase side effects and strain on the body.

Avoid sharing products

Sharing vapes can spread illnesses such as:

  • Cold and flu
  • 颁翱痴滨顿鈥19
  • Mono
  • Meningitis

Sharing may also result in taking in higher doses of nicotine than intended. Use your own device and keep it clean, especially reusable vapes that require coil or filter maintenance.

Safe disposal of vape products

Vape devices, pods and batteries are considered hazardous waste and should not be placed in regular trash or recycling bins.

On鈥慶ampus disposal options include:

  • UMC, first floor (across from Alferd Packer Grill)
  • West Boulder Recycling Center (63rd Street)

If you live outside Boulder, use a hazardous waste facility finder to locate disposal sites near you.

Find Support

Whether you鈥檙e thinking about quitting, cutting back or just exploring your options, support is available.

Nicotine Coaching: Health Promotion offers free nicotine coaching for students, faculty and staff with one-on-one support that鈥檚 personalized and non-judgmental.

Breathe Easy Quit Kit: Stop by the Health Promotion office on the third floor of Wardenburg to pick up a free quit kit. Each kit includes:听

  • Fidgets, toothpicks and candy for habit replacement听
  • Tips and resources to support quitting or cutting back听
  • Tools to help manage cravings day to day

Free substance use workshops: Students can reflect on their relationship with alcohol and other substances. Workshops are educational, and not therapy or treatment.

Apothecary Pharmacy: Visit the pharmacy in Wardenburg for over鈥憈he鈥慶ounter nicotine patches and gum鈥攏o prescription or insurance required.

Collegiate Recovery Community: Weekly support meetings, substance-free activities and connection for students considering, pursuing or in recovery from substances and other unwanted behaviors.

: Free, confidential support for people at any stage of quitting vaping or tobacco use.