Youth Tobacco Use
It is no secret that electronic cigarettes have gained popular momentum in recent years, with millions of youth using these devices. Nonetheless, with e-cigarettes being a newer device, what is the research? What negative side effects do e-cigarettes cause? How can we educate our youth and parents?
What is in e-cigarettes you ask? Firstly, nicotine, which is an addictive stimulant. E-cigarettes also include ultrafine particles, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds. Another fun fact is that the cloud of smoke that is exhaled from the e-cigarette user is not a vapor at all, it is actually an aerosol. Another danger to think about is defective batteries that have been found to cause fires and explosions, which have and can result in serious injuries.
The 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey reports that there has been a sharp decline in youth e-cigarette use with about 1.8 million fewer users compared to the 2019 data. However, there are still about 3.6 million youth e-cigarette users, nation-wide. While the decline is promising, the current user number is still alarmingly high.
Until about the age of 25, the human brain is not fully developed, this includes the part of the brain that is responsible for decision making and impulse control. Introducing nicotine during the developmental stage of the brain increases the chance of addition. Because, addiction is a form of learning (Surgeon General).
The Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition is dedicated to providing education to our parents, youth and community members surrounding the dangers of tobacco use, including e-cigarette use through a variety of ways-one way is through educational presentations for individuals and groups throughout Gratiot county.
If you wish to learn more about e-cigarettes and vaping, please join us on February 24 at 7:00pm via Zoom for The Truth about E-Cigarettes: Parent Edition
To Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtfu2tpjouHdUrKaxZcdWjtq0x_ebBwygp
Any questions, please e-mail GCSAC Coalition Coordinator Emily Rayburn at emily@childadvocacy.net.
