Nicotine Prevention
What: Prevent youth and young adults, ages 12-24 from becoming addicted to nicotine in any form.
How: Primary prevention strategies focus on providing information to the community about the risks and dangers of nicotine by building youth skills, changing policies and practices that provide protective environments to allow youth to make healthy and positive choices.
Parents and Caregivers:
3 ways for you to talk to youth about electronic cigarettes and vaping:
Communicate the risks and harms of using an electronic cigarette (vape) to the youth in your life. Most vaping liquid contains high levels of nicotine which is very addictive, especially to the young, developing brain. The lungs are also very susceptible to disease from the toxic substances and chemicals found in vapes.
Let them know you do not approve of them using an electronic cigarette (vape). Young people are attracted to electronic cigarettes (vapes) because they want to fit in. Some of the vape liquid is flavored like candy or fruit to create a more appealing product for young people. If youth are using, you may smell a faint scent of fruit or candy that you can't locate.
Help you child create an 'exit' plan and strategies to refuse an electronic cigarette (vape). Let them give examples to you of ways they might be offered a vape and come up with ways to refuse. This will empower them to be able to make good choices when the time comes.
Why: The brain keeps developing until around age 25. Using nicotine can harm parts of the adolescent brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. (CDC Quick Facts) We want brains to develop to their full potential without the risk of addiction.
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