According to a recent advisory from the US Surgeon General, “E-cigarette use among youth has skyrocketed in the past year at a rate of epidemic proportions. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration’s National Youth Tobacco Survey, the percentage of high school-age children reporting past 30-day use of e-cigarettes rose by more than 75 percent between 2017 and 2018. Use among middle school-age children also increased nearly 50 percent.”
What you should know:
- You have an important role to play in addressing this public health epidemic.
- Learn about the different shapes and types of e-cigarettes and the risks of all forms of e-cigarette use for young people.
- Set a good example by being tobacco-free. If you use tobacco products, it’s never too late to quit. Talk to a healthcare professional about quitting all forms of tobacco product use. For free help, including patches, gum and lozenges, visit 802quits.org/ or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
- Adopt tobacco-free rules, including e-cigarettes, in your home and vehicle.
- Talk to your child or teen about why e-cigarettes are harmful for them. It’s never too late.
- Get the tip sheet for parents, Talk With Your Teen About E-cigarettes, here. Start the conversation early with children about why e-cigarettes, including JUUL, are harmful for them.
- Let your child know that you want them to stay away from all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, because they are not safe for them.
To learn more about the teen vaping trend and how to talk to youth about it check out these resources:
- CDC – electronic cigarettes
- VT Department of Health – data brief on Electronic Vapor Product Use Among Vermont High School Students
- This 2 minute video is a great quick way to understand what an e-cigarette is.
- US Surgeon General – Know the Facts website
For parents and caregivers:
- Partnership for Drug Free Kids – The Teen Vaping Trend, What Parents Need to Know
- The new look of nicotine addiction – info for parents
- ParentIN Burlington – a resource available to parents and caregivers focused on THIS community. Join our social media pages to get access to the latest research, tips, and local events to help support your teens to make healthy decisions.
For youth:
- Truth campaign – Videos and Facts for teens
- Flavors Hook Kids – CA campaign to help understand how flavored vape products hook kids into using
Other ways to help:
- Set up an appointment with your child’s health care provider so that they can hear from a medical professional about the health risks of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
- Encourage your child to learn the facts and get tips for quitting tobacco products at Teen.smokefree.gov.
