-
Vaping Cessation Programs for Teens (9/29/20)
Schools and communities across the country, including Ken-Ton, are experiencing an emerging threat to public health: the rapidly increasing use of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, among adolescents.
E-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale and exhale. This liquid is marketed in thousands of different flavors and usually contains nicotine, the highly addictive and dangerous chemical that is found in cigarettes and other tobacco products. The most popular vaping product among young people is the JUUL, which resembles a USB flash drive with the e-liquid contained in a disposable pod. Many are shocked to discover that a single JUUL pod contains the nicotine equivalent of an entire pack of cigarettes. This is just one such product; there are a wide variety of e-cigarette devices that come in a range of shapes and sizes.
Different types of e-cigarettes and vaping devices
There is a misperception that e-cigarettes are safe. They are not. The consensus among experts is that there are many health risks associated with e-cigarette use. The liquid used by e-cigarettes contains toxic particles that can increase the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and asthma attacks. Another danger is the presence of nicotine, often in high concentrations. Nicotine has long been known to impair adolescent and young adult brains. Because nicotine is so highly addictive, e-cigarettes make it very easy for young people to become addicted to nicotine-containing products for a lifetime. For many, this will lead to the use of other nicotine products, including cigarettes.
The Ken-Ton School District is committed to engaging the entire school district community in curbing e-cigarette use by students and supporting students in making healthy choices. The following information may be helpful for students, families, and staff.
Get the Facts - Electronic Cigarettes (E-cigarettes) and Similar Vapor Products
Fact Sheet: Tobacco and E-Cigarettes
Are you a student who uses e-cigarettes or vaping products?
Click here for information about the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping, and why it is important for you to quit.
Click here for information and resources that will make it easier for you to quit any tobacco or nicotine product, including e-cigarettes.
For Parents & Educators:
Article: "How to Help Teenagers Quit Vaping"
