E-CIGARETTES SHAPED LIKE USB FLASH DRIVES:

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS, 

AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that 

can deliver nicotine and flavorings to the user in the form of an aerosol. 

E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes. 

WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?

A new e-cigarette shaped like a USB

flash drive is being used by students 

in schools.

Nicotine is highly addictive and can 

harm brain development,

which continues until about age 25.

The use of any tobacco product 

— including e-cigarettes—is 

unsafe for young people.

Parents, educators, 

& health care providers can 

help prevent and reduce the use of all 

tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, 

by young people. 

CS292347-A

>> Learn HOW in this fact sheet.
AN INCREASINGLY POPULAR E-CIGARETTE DEVICE, 

CALLED JUUL, IS SHAPED LIKE A USB FLASH DRIVE. 

JUUL MarkTen Elite PAX Era

Use of JUUL is sometimes 

called “JUULing.”

JUUL’s nicotine liquid refills 

are called “pods.” JUUL is 

available in several flavors 

such as Cool Cucumber, 

Fruit Medley, Mango, and 

Mint. 

All JUUL e-cigarettes have a 

high level of nicotine. 

According to the manufacturer, 

a single JUUL pod contains 

as much nicotine as a pack 

of 20 regular cigarettes. 

JUUL became available for sale in the United States 

in 2015. As of December 2017, JUUL is the top-selling 

e-cigarette brand in the United States.

News outlets and social media sites report widespread 

use of JUUL by students in schools, including in classrooms and bathrooms.

Other devices are becoming available that look like USB flash drives. Examples include the MarkTen 

Elite, a nicotine delivery device, and the PAX Era, a marijuana delivery device that looks like JUUL.
E-CIGARETTE USE IS NOT SAFE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

E-cigarette aerosol is not harmless. It can contain harmful ingredients. However, e-cigarette 

aerosol generally contains fewer harmful chemicals than smoke from burned tobacco products, 

like regular cigarettes. 

NICOTINE

ULTRAFINE

PARTICLES

FLAVORING SUCH AS DIACETYL,

 A CHEMICAL LINKED TO

A SERIOUS LUNG DISEASE

VOLATILE CHEMICALS

ORGANIC

COMPOUNDS

HEAVY METALS SUCH AS

NICKEL, TIN, AND LEAD

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, 

which is highly addictive and can 

harm brain development, 

which continues until about age 25. 

YOUNG PEOPLE 

WHO USE 

E-CIGARETTES 

MAY BE MORE 

LIKELY TO GO 

ON TO USE 

REGULAR 

CIGARETTES.
PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CAN 

HELP PREVENT AND REDUCE THE USE OF E-CIGARETTES BY 

YOUNG PEOPLE.

PARENTS CAN:

» Learn about the different shapes and types of 

e-cigarettes and the risks of all forms of 

e-cigarette use for young people. 

» Talk to their children about the risks of 

e-cigarette use among young people. Express 

firm expectations that their children remain 

tobacco-free. 

» Set a positive example by being tobacco-free.

EDUCATORS CAN:

» Learn about the different shapes and types 

of e-cigarettes and the risks of all forms of 

e-cigarette use for young people. 

» Develop, implement, and enforce tobacco-free 

school policies. 

» Reject youth tobacco prevention programs 

sponsored by the tobacco industry. These 

programs have been found to be ineffective 

for preventing youth tobacco use.

PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE 

PROVIDERS CAN:

» Ask about e-cigarettes, including devices 

shaped like USB flash drives, when screening 

patients for the use of any tobacco products. 

» Warn patients about the risks of all forms of 

tobacco product use, including e-cigarettes, 

for young people. 

PARENTS, 

EDUCATORS, AND 

HEALTH CARE 

PROVIDERS 

CAN HELP