Tobacco Awareness and Education
Get the facts about electronic cigarettes, their health effects and the risks of vaping and where to get help to quit.
The Facts.
E-cigarette use poses a significant – and avoidable – health risk to young people. Besides increasing the possibility of addiction and long-term harm to brain development and respiratory health, e-cigarette use is associated with the use of other tobacco products that can do even more damage to the body. Even breathing e-cigarette aerosol that someone else has exhaled poses potential health risks. Below are a few key facts, be sure check out more here or at one of the many resources listed below.
- E-Cigarettes/Vaping are not safe for youth, young adults, and pregannt women, as well as adults who do not current use tobacco products.
- The aerosol from e-cigarettes is not harmless. It can contain harmful and potentially harmful chemicals, including nicotine; ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs; flavoring such diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.
- Some studies show that non-smoking youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to try conventional cigarettes in the future than non-smoking youth who do not use e-cigarettes.
- In 2018,1 in 5 high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the past month.
- As of Feb 2020, 68 deaths were attributed to EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury) across the US.
- Teenagers and young adults who vape face a much higher risk of COVID-19 than their peers who do not vape, a new study has found.
Want to quit? Try one of these free resources:
- This Is Quitting from Truth
- Teens and young adults can join for free by texting VapeFreePA to 88709
- My Life My Quit from the PA Free Quitline
- Text "Start My Quit" to 855.891.9989 or call to talk with a coach who is ready to listen and cheer you on. It's YOUR LIFE and we're here to help you live it YOUR WAY
- Make A Vaping Quit Plan from SmokeFreeTeen.gov
- Take Back Control. Make Your Quit Plan.
- In person, Virtual, and Group quit programs are available in some areas.
- Contact Us to find a program near you!
Learn more by checking out some of these great resources:
- Know The Risks, The Surgeon General
- Stanford Medicine Tobacco Prevention Toolkit
- American Lung Association
Listen to St. Mary's Health Line (CLICK HERE TO PLAY).
You can hear one of our tobacco dependence treatment providers, Lynn Engle from Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership discuss the in's and out's of quitting smoking, stress and nicotine addiction, and how to navigate your way to a healthier life. Recorded from https://www.wcbcradio.com/.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Tobacco Control Project and Health Promotion Council partner with the LGBT Center of Central PA, William Way, and Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center to reduce tobacco-related burdens among the LGBTQA community; a disparitely impacted population.
We currently offer:
- Prevention and Quitting Resources (education about industry tactics and targeting, health disparities, AIDS and HIV treatment and tobacco implications, and e-cig/vaping education, and more!).
- Tobacco and smoke-free discussions at GSA meetings
- Assistance planning a smoke-free event or Pride festival
- Tobacco Dependence Treatment (quit smoking) coaching and nicotine replacement in various clinical and community settings. Call 1-800-Quit Now and ask for classes near you.
- Speakers, presenters, or trainings for health care professionals, counselors, staff, or community members. Topics and content can be customized to meet your audience or knowledge needs.
For information or to request a speaker, tailored education or prevention programs, please contact us.
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