E-cigarettes, recently
re-invented as “vapes” or “vaping” by marketers seeking to avoid the negativity
surrounding cigarettes, are devices that heat a liquid into an aerosol that the
user inhales. The liquid typically contains nicotine plus other
chemicals. The nicotine in e-cigarettes, or any tobacco product, is
highly addictive, especially in teens. Adolescent years are times of
important brain development. Brain development begins before birth and
continues through childhood to about age 25. Nicotine exposure during
adolescence and young adulthood easily causes addiction and may permanently
impact rapidly developing adolescent neural networks. Besides nicotine,
e-cigarettes contain proven harmful and potentially harmful ingredients
including ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs and flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked
to serious lung disease. E-cigarette use among
youth and young adults has become a growing public health concern.
Unfortunately this tide of misuse has become more evident in
schools across the country even though it is illegal and banned on all
school grounds and at all school events, the same as any tobacco product.
Alarmingly, e-cigarettes
are now the most commonly used tobacco product among youth. The use of
e-cigarettes is higher among high school students than adults. The most recent
CDC data available show that the prevalence of past 30-day use of e-cigarettes
was 13.6% among 18-24 year old young adults but 16.0% among high school
students (and 5.3% among middle school students). In spite of the fact that
it is illegal to sell tobacco product to youth under the age of 18, according
to the CDC report, more than 25% of youth in middle and high school have tried
e-cigarettes.
How did this occur?
In addition to rebranding smoking to the cooler sounding “vaping,”
e-cigarettes are marketed by promoting flavors and using a wide variety
of media channels and approaches used in the past for marketing tobacco
products. In 2014, more than 7 of 10 middle and high school students said
they had seen e-cigarette advertising. Retail stores were the most frequent
source of this advertising, followed by the internet. E-cigarettes are
available in a wide variety of flavors, including many that are especially
appealing to youth. More than 85% of e-cigarette users ages 12-17 use flavored
e-cigarettes, and flavors are the leading reason for youth use. More than 9 of
10 young adult e-cigarette users said they have used e-cigarettes flavored to
taste like menthol, alcohol, fruit, chocolate, or other sweets. Sadly
they do not know that colorless, flavorless nicotine is usually contained in
the “Trojan Horse” entering their lungs, bloodstream and brain.
Oak Creek is not immune to this national epidemic. Recently the high school sent this letter to all parents as they seek assistance in preventing our youth from damaging their health and secondarily, getting in trouble at school.
Oak Creek is not immune to this national epidemic. Recently the high school sent this letter to all parents as they seek assistance in preventing our youth from damaging their health and secondarily, getting in trouble at school.
As educators of youth, we are asking for the
help of all parents and guardians in this matter. At some time, your
children will be exposed to the pervasive advertising (e.g. “What’s a vape
store, mom?” as you drive down Howell or Drexel) or at some point
observe this behavior, the same as they used to see others smoking.
To help in your role as parent or guardians in
this context of increasing use, we want to share two resources with you from
the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General:
Please take some time to talk with your child - whether
or not you believe they may be involved in vaping - so all youth have these
common facts and messages from their most important teacher: you.
The best way to stop more children from becoming
addicted to nicotine is to be aware, be informed, talk about the facts
periodically, and set boundaries. If we don’t do this collectively, the
millions of dollars spent in advertising and seemingly opening a ‘vape store in
every neighborhood’ may prevail. Then, more youth may enter adulthood
addicted to nicotine or with their lungs containing the seeds of potential
disaster in terms of future health.
Please let me know if you have any questions or
suggestions and as always thank you for your support.
Tim Culver
Superintendent
