Hunterdon United for Vape-Free Youth was created by Safe Communities Regional Coalition of Hunterdon and Somerset, Prevention Resources, Inc. and in partnership with key stakeholders in our community to address the growing concern surrounding youth vaping – a national teen epidemic (US Surgeon General) and reported as the #1 problem from our local high schools. We are working to provide resources for students, parents, and school faculty members with the goal of helping our community make informed decisions about vaping.
Fast Facts About Vaping
– A ‘vape’ is the term used to describe the delivery mechanism of products such as JUUL, nicotine, e-juices, THC, and alcohol.
– Most youth do not know the ingredients in these products.
– Most vaping products contain nicotine. Even products that claim they are nicotine-free may contain nicotine due to lack of regulation.
– Nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm the brain, as it is still developing up to age 25.
– Teen nicotine use increases the likelihood of future drug use, including tobacco products and marijuana.
(CDC 2019)
To schedule a vaping education program please contact Senior Prevention Educator Jean Ciullo jciullo@njprevent.com. This program can be modified for audience (teen, parent, professional, etc.) and has flexible time constraints.
Contact Lesley Gabel, lgabel@njprevent.com for any vaping educational materials.
A. Large Indoor/Outdoor Banners (10ft x 4ft)
B. Posters (22in x 28in)
C. Rack Cards (Standard)
*Please include a date you need them by, and how many you are requesting of a specific item.
Don't Get Vaped In
A ‘vape’ is the term used to describe the delivery mechanism of products such as JUUL, nicotine, e-juices, THC, and alcohol. E-liquids are NOT water vapor and flavoring, they are non-FDA regulated, flavored aerosols. WOULD YOU SPRAY AEROSOL IN YOUR MOUTH?
What's in your vape?
– Diacetyl is the chemical associated with the disease “popcorn lung”.
– Heavy Metals such as Lead and Nickel that can build-up in the body to fatal levels.
– Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical component used in the embalming process.
– Addictive Drugs such as Nicotine and THC (marijuana), that are known to cause brain changes, most harmful to adolescents.
Health Risks
Diacetyl is a chemical that has been used to give butter-like and other flavors to food products, including popcorn.
Reports of serious lung damage, known as “popcorn lung” and “wet lung”, have been cited after only brief use of vapor devices.
99% of all vaping products contain nicotine, a highly addictive drug.
Vaping Teens that have never used tobacco products are 3x more likely to start smoking tobacco cigarettes.
According to the CDC, cannabis use may have long-lasting or permanent effects on the developing adolescent brain. Negative effects include:
– Difficulty with critical thinking skills like attention, problem solving and memory
Impaired reaction time and coordination, especially as it relates to driving
– Decline in school performance
Increased risk of mental health issues including depression or anxiety and in some cases, psychosis where there is a family history of it
– Research also shows that about one in six teens who repeatedly use cannabis can become addicted, as compared to one in nine adults
To learn more about cannabis visit njprevent.com/cannabis/
Vaping Devices
Teens at Risk
The U.S. Surgeon General has declared Vaping a Youth Epidemic (2018). E-cigarette use among middle and high school students has rapidly increased with more than 2 million middle school, high school and college students using the battery-powered devices to heat liquid-based nicotine into an inhalable aerosol.
Teens are now smoking e-cigarettes more than traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes are by far the most popular tobacco product among teens: Nearly 12% of high school students and 3% of middle school students used the device in the past 30 days (2017 National Youth Tobacco Survey).
Targeting Teens
The industry markets e-cigarettes with cartoon characters and flavors like bubble gum, fruit, and chocolate. The FDA is currently investigating businesses that may be targeting youth.
Signs of Teens Vaping
Paraphernalia, like chargers, cartridges, cartridge packs, e-juice bottles, etc.
Sweet/flavored odors on their clothing, backpacks, or lingering in the bathroom or bedroom
Generalized symptoms of vaping, such as mouth sores or infections, chronic respiratory inflammation and dry eyes.
Marijuana (THC/CBD) and other drugs will have additional symptoms that may include odor, and behaviors such as confusion, memory lapse, delayed reaction time, etc.
Teen JUULing
One JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of (20) cigarettes. Most teens don’t know that ALL JUUL products contain nicotine.
JUULs are thin, small and can be easily confused with a USB Flashdrive.
Cessation
The quitSTART app is a free smartphone app that helps you quit smoking with tailored tips, inspiration, and challenges. The app has many features to help a teen quit, including a Quit Kit with customized tips and materials.
Visit: https://teen.smokefree.gov/become-smokefree/quitstart-app
A school-based, tobacco-use cessation program for high school youth (ages 14-19 years). The program is delivered in a clinic setting and involves enjoyable motivating activities, such as games, mock talk shows, and yoga. At the completion of the program, youth will be able to: stop or reduce cigarette smoking and state accurate information about the environmental, social physiological, and emotional consequences of tobacco use. The 8-session curriculum is delivered over a 6-8 week period.
Visit: https://projectex.usc.edu/; call (800)440-8461, or email: leahmedi@usc.edu
A customized quit plant hat learns and grows with you. Text messages to help quit smoking or vaping. Smart, interactive guides and tools for you to navigate your tobacco-free journey. Expert advice and tips from Mayo Clinic. An active, supportive EX Community of real tobacco users who have been through it all.
Visit: https://www.becomeanex.org/
A free, online, bilingual multimedia, evidence-based and educational program developed by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. It is a fun and interactive tobacco prevention and cessation curriculum for teens.
Visit: https://www.mdanderson.org/about-md-anderson/community-services/aspire.html
Policy Changes
Enacted Monday, October 1, 2019
Township of Raritan, Hunterdon County, NJ – Ordinance #19-25
May 2019 – Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), Branchburg, New Jersey became a Smoke-Free Campus as part of “Breathe Easy” Initiative.
RVCC amended the college’s smoking policy to provide a healthier working environment for the College community.
The policy prohibits the use of all tobacco products, vaping devices, electronic cigarettes, or any other form of ingestion of tobacco products by students, staff, faculty and visitors anywhere on the college campus; including all buildings, on the grounds of the campus, in college leased vehicles, at sporting events or at any other indoor or outdoor event or activity.
The college has subsequently been awarded a grant to promote, implement and evaluate the policy.
Breathe Easy signs have been posted at entrances and throughout the campus.
October 18 – 20, 2019
One Voice (faith based coalition) chose Vaping as their topic this year for their annual weekend launch, where faith leaders disseminate critical information to their congregations.
A summit was held on June 11, 2018 to address teen vaping, a topic which the CDC recognizes as an epidemic. The intent of One Voice is to educate faith leaders on a topic of concern, provide information and tools and then on one weekend, October 18-20, 2019 – all places of worship will address this topic with “one voice” in order to raise awareness and enact positive change.
Anyone in the community can turn vape devices into our office Mondays-Thursdays from 12-4 pm.
Prevention Resources, Inc.
4 Walter Foran Blvd., Suite 410
Flemington, NJ 08829
For more information, contact Erin ecohen@njprevent.com
Take Back Your Vape Initative
Vaping is rampant in Hunterdon County High Schools.
In collaboration with the principal at North Hunterdon High School, the Take Back Your Vape Initiative was created. For one week leading up to Take Back Your Vape Day, students were sent snippets of information about the dangers of vaping, health risks, and the manipulation of the tobacco companies. Students were incentivized to turn in their devices/pods by receiving a gift card ranging from $5-$20 to McDonald’s and Dunkin. Students also received raffle tickets based on how many vape products they turned in to be entered into a drawing for a pair of Apple AirPods. Resources were also given to students to help quit at the time of surrender. Students were able to turn in devices anonymously, without questions or consequences, and without school personnel present. Visit https://njprevent.com/positiveyouth/
North Hunterdon High School
November 22, 2019
Total Vapes Collected: 59 devices, 4 chargers, 15 bottles of e-liquids, and 82 JUUL pods
Voorhees High School
January 10, 2020
Total Vapes Collected: 95 devices, 3 vape juice bottles, 3 chargers, and 30 pods.
Vape Disosal Boxes
15 Vape Disposal Boxes were installed in all 5 Hunterdon county high schools and in 4 middle schools.
To have a Take Back Your Vape Event or Drop Box installed contact Program Coordinators Erin Cohen (ecohen@njprevent.com) or Amanda Kovacs (akovacs@njprevent.com)
WE ARE UNITED FOR VAPE-FREE YOUTH
References
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, June 25). About Electronic Cigarettes. Retrieved from Smoking and Tobacco Use: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html
CNBC. (2018, December 20). Tobacco giant Altria takes 35% stake in Juul, valuing e-cigarette company at $38 billion. Retrieved from Health and Science: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/20/altria-takes-stake-in-juul-a-pivotal-moment-for-the-e-cigarette-maker.html
Office of Surgeon General. (2019, June 25). Know the Risks. Retrieved from Office of Surgeon General: https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/knowtherisks.html
Office of Surgeon General. (2019, June 25). Talk with Your Teen About E-cigarettes: A Tip Sheet for Parents. Retrieved from Office of Surgeon General: https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipsheet_508.pdf
Truth Initiative. (2018, July 19). E-cigarettes: Facts, stats and regulations. Retrieved from Research and resources: https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/e-cigarettes-facts-stats-and-regulations
Truth Initiative. (2018, February 5). What is JUUL? Retrieved from Research and resources: https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/what-juul
Truth Initiative. (2018, May 29). Where are kids getting JUUL? Retrieved from Research and resources: https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/where-are-kids-getting-juul