Holly Kurtz, 27, started vaping at age 17, driven by the influence of her friends. His account reveals how vaping, initially considered harmless, became a decade-long addiction. By extending their consumption to all areas of their daily life, dependence became undeniable.

Kurtz's epiphany came in 2026, Newsweek reported, when she visualized herself as an elderly woman unable to interact with her future grandchildren. This critical moment led her to reconsider the negative impact of her addiction and take concrete actions to change her lifestyle.

“I vaped whenever I could: in the car, in my room, at a friend's house,” said the Nashville, Tennessee, native. "For 10 years, the first thing I did when I woke up was vape. The last thing I did before going to sleep was vape. I fell asleep with the vaporizer next to my pillow every night, and in my hand," he confessed.

He paid dearly

After 10 years of addiction to electronic cigarettes, Kurt began to be aware of the situation he was going through. “I experienced shallow breathing, occasional chest pain, nausea, loss of appetite and significant damage to my teeth and gums,” he said.

"My throat started to hurt constantly. But the more I vaped, the more numb I became. Not to mention the emotional side effects of embarrassment and panic when you know it's going to run out or if you forget it at home," she told Newsweek.

"I realized I was addicted to vaping when I couldn't just leave it in the car. I vaped while walking from my car to my destination, and even in public bathrooms," that's as far as her addiction went.

Despite the emotional and physical challenges, Kurtz worked to reduce his nicotine consumption, eventually managing to let go of his “emotional support vape.” Now, she feels a renewed sense of confidence and purpose in her life, focusing on becoming an active, healthy grandmother.

Increase in the use of electronic cigarettes

In the United States, electronic cigarettes are the most consumed tobacco product among youth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), data from the Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey shows that more than 27% of youth who vape do so daily.

This trend highlights the growing concern for public health.

Impact of vaping on mental health

Vaping can affect mental and emotional health, especially when it contains nicotine. Although some people feel immediate calm, this effect is usually temporary and may correspond to the relief of withdrawal, not an actual reduction in stress.

Main effects

Why You May Feel “Relaxing”

Nicotine temporarily activates the brain's reward circuits. When its levels decrease, nervousness, irritability, anxiety and difficulty concentrating may appear; When you vape again, these symptoms are reduced for a while, reinforcing the dependence. Therefore, vaping is not a safe treatment for anxiety, stress or depression.

When to ask for help

It is advisable to consult a health professional if vaping is accompanied by persistent sadness, panic attacks, isolation, insomnia, loss of interest, increasing consumption or difficulty quitting. If thoughts of harming yourself or suicide occur, seek emergency help immediately and not be left alone.

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