Oakland County Health Division encourages parents and health care providers to talk with youth about the dangers of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as the school year begins. Chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. Parents and providers are also encouraged to provide tobacco-free environments to protect kids from tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.
"It is essential that we engage young people to prevent e-cigarette and tobacco use," said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for Oakland County Health Division. "Far too many youth use tobacco and are exposed to secondhand smoke, which can lead to a lifetime of health risks and addiction to a deadly product."
Each year 5,200 Michigan kids under age 18 become new, daily smokers. Currently, 10.5% of Michigan high school students smoke cigarettes and 14.8% use e-cigarettes. Both rates are higher than the national average. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the use of products containing nicotine in any form, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe for youth. The brain is not fully developed until the early to mid-20s, and exposure to nicotine during periods of significant brain development can disrupt the growth of brain circuits that control attention, learning, and risk of addiction.
E-cigarettes are battery operated devices used to inhale harmful aerosol, or e-juice. Most e-juices contain nicotine. There are many types of e-cigarettes including e-hookah pens, vape pens, and personal vaporizers, and use of these products is typically called "vaping."
The Michigan Tobacco Quitline provides services for Michigan youth of any age at 1-800-784-8669 or 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Youth can receive free telephone counseling, a free text messaging program, and a self-guided online program to help quit tobacco. Visit the Smokefree Teen website, available at http://teen.smokefree.gov/ for additional information and resources.
Published: Tue, Sep 11, 2018
