The US CDC calls for parents and teachers to protect children from vaping
The US CDC calls for parents and teachers to protect children from vaping, What You Can Do to Protect Youth From the Harms of Vaping September 18, 2023https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/features/back-to-school/index.html
“Parents and educators—including teachers, administrators, and coaches—can play an important role in protecting youth from e-cigarettes, also known as vapes. As students go back to school, it’s the perfect time to educate them about the dangers of vaping.
Vaping can have health risks for youth. Most vapes have nicotine in them, which is highly addictive. Nicotine use in adolescence:
- Can harm brain development, which continues until about age 25.
- Can impact attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.
- May increase risk for future addiction to other drugs.
Not only can nicotine in e-cigarettes pose health risks for youth, but youth who vape may also be more likely to go on to use regular cigarettes.
In addition to nicotine, e-cigarette aerosol can contain other harmful and potentially harmful substances. These substances include:
- Cancer-causing chemicals
- Volatile organic compounds
- Ultrafine particles
- Flavorings that have been linked to lung disease
- Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead”
Comment: Parent and teacher concern is reflected in support for the Thai e-cigarette ban in a Social and Business Development survey of 5,582 parents and teachers, where 91% favored retaining the Thai ban and advocated educating students about e-cigarette harms. Bangkok Post, Page 2, September 15, 2023.
Stephen Hamann
