As the new school year begins, it’s crucial to address the growing concern of youth vaping. In a recent article from the CDC, Helpful Tips for Protecting Youth from the Harms of Vaping, the CDC provides information on the harms of e-cigarettes and nicotine, shows the role parents, educators and healthcare providers can play to help youth reject or quit commercial tobacco use and provides resources to help youth reject or quit commercial tobacco use.

 E-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, are electronic devices that heat liquid and produce aerosol. These devices are the most popular commercial tobacco product among youth and typically contain nicotine and come in several enticing flavors including candy, fruit and menthol, making them highly addicting and dangerous. Nicotine is highly addictive drug and can have severe impacts on the developing brains of teenagers. It can affect learning, memory, and attention, and increase the risk of future addiction to other substances. Additionally, nicotine can harm mental health, contributing to stress, anxiety, and depression. Despite being marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, we know that no commercial tobacco product is safe, and this includes e-cigarettes.

Parents, educators, and healthcare providers play a pivotal role in preventing youth from starting to use e-cigarettes and helping those who already do to quit. The CDC recommends the following strategies:

  • Recognizing and managing stressful feelings.Help youth identify what causes their stress or anxiety and help them proactively manage stress when they start feeling this way.
  • Practicing relaxation techniques.Encourage positive stress management techniques, like meditation, listening to music, or deep breathing.
  • Building a support system.Provide support when youth feel stressed and encourage them to reach out to family and friends.
  • Practicing self-care.Teach youth how they can manage their feelings of stress by taking care of themselves, including eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep.
  • Staying active.Empower youth to manage their stress and anxiety by getting physical activity every day.

Protecting youth from the harms of dangerous and deadly commercial tobacco products requires a collective effort from parents, educators, and healthcare providers. By fostering open communication, promoting healthy stress management, and building supportive environments, we can help young people make informed decisions and lead healthier lives. For more information and resources, check out this new featured article on the CDC’s website: Helpful Tips for Protecting Youth from the Harms of Vaping.