While youth smoking rates have been declining over the past twenty years, more youth are using e-cigarettes, particularly disposable vape products. A huge driver of youth vaping has been the direct and illegal marketing to youth by the manufacturers over the past three years. Using traditional tactics straight out of the tobacco industries playbook, these devices were marketed to youth to appear modern and attractive, appealing to their desire to fit in and marketed as harmless.
What many people don’t know is that e-cigarettes often contain high levels of nicotine—the powerful, highly addictive substance that impacts the development of the adolescent brain. Research also shows young people who have used e-cigarettes have higher odds of using traditional tobacco products, like cigarettes in the future. Our guest, Kim Coronis with Breathe New Hampshire (Breathe NH) shares insights about why youth are so attracted to vaping and how we can help them avoid this serious public health problem.
Explore more on the topics and themes discussed in this episode:
Breathe New Hampshire – Committed to eliminating lung disease and improving the quality of life for those living with lung disease in New Hampshire. Their Vaping Unveiled ™ program educates youth, parents, schools and the community about the dangers of youth nicotine addiction from vaping.
My Life, My Quit – A FREE and confidential service designed to help young people quit vaping. My Life, My Quit Resources for Educators
New Hampshire Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program – Find tobacco-related resources and access to adult and youth tobacco treatment services, including QuitNow-NH with no-cost quitting help, and materials to promote My Life, My Quit.
Save Your Breath – An anti-vaping prevention campaign for youth offering scientific facts about vaping and providing motivation to quit. Resources are also available for schools and organizations.
NH Department of Education, Bureau of Student Wellness, Office of Social and Emotional Wellness – There is a large list on this website of toolkits for educators including specific modules for Restorative Practices and Vaping Prevention/RSA 126-K:7.
Truth Initiative – Truth Initiative is America’s largest nonprofit public health organization committed to making tobacco use and nicotine addiction a thing of the past.
