Stop Youth
Vaping
Vaping isn't just a health issue. It's a performance issue — and every coach, parent, and athlete needs to understand exactly what it does to a young body in competition.
Developed by Coach Fentriss Winn with 44 years of experience in youth sports. Grounded in science. Built for the field.
What Vaping Does to Athletic Performance
"I've been in youth sports for over 44 years. I've seen every trend come and go. Vaping is different — because it's invisible, it's addictive, and it's directly attacking the very thing these kids are working so hard to build: their athletic potential. We can't ignore it and we can't be silent about it."
The Numbers Don't Lie
Youth vaping in sports is not a fringe issue. It's happening on your team, in your league, in your community.
System by System Breakdown
Vaping doesn't just affect one part of the body. It attacks the entire athletic system — from the lungs to the brain to the muscles. Here's what the research shows.
Cardiovascular System
- Elevated resting heart rate — less efficient oxygen delivery during competition
- Increased blood pressure — higher cardiovascular stress during intense play
- Reduced stroke volume — heart works harder for the same output
Respiratory System
- Inflamed airways reduce the volume of air exchanged per breath
- Increased mucus production clogs airways during high-intensity effort
- Popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) — irreversible in severe cases
Neurological System
- Nicotine rewires the adolescent brain's reward circuitry — creating dependency
- Impaired prefrontal cortex development affects decision-making and focus
- Withdrawal symptoms during competition: anxiety, irritability, poor concentration
Musculoskeletal System
- Reduced blood flow slows lactic acid clearance — muscles fatigue faster
- Impaired collagen synthesis increases injury risk
- Slower healing time from sprains, strains, and overuse injuries
Your Role in Prevention
Prevention works when every stakeholder plays their part. Choose your role to get targeted guidance.
For Coaches
CoachesSpot the signs, start the conversation, and build a team culture where vaping has no place. Your influence is the most powerful prevention tool available.
For Parents
ParentsUnderstand what vaping actually does to your child's athletic potential — and how to have the conversation that could change their trajectory.
For Athletes
AthletesYou've put in the work. Don't let vaping steal your edge. See exactly what nicotine does to your lungs, your speed, and your game.
For Administrators
AdministratorsBuild enforceable policies, train your staff, and create the organizational infrastructure that protects your athletes and your organization.
The Vaping-Sports Paradox
Young athletes spend hours every week building their bodies — running drills, lifting weights, practicing skills. Then they vape, and undo a significant portion of that work at the cellular level. The lungs they're training to carry them through the fourth quarter are the same lungs being damaged by every hit.
This isn't about judgment. It's about information. When athletes understand exactly what vaping does to their performance — not just their health in the abstract, but their speed, their stamina, their edge — the conversation changes.
Go Deeper in the Academy
The Youth Sports Toolkit Academy's 39-chapter curriculum includes dedicated content on athlete health, team culture, and the coach's role in prevention. Chapters 23 (First Aid Kit), 22 (Mental Gym), and 24 (Lunch Box) directly address athlete wellness and performance optimization.
Free Tools for Your Program
Downloadable guides, policy templates, conversation starters, and pledge cards — all free, all grounded in Coach Winn's framework.
View All Resources