Today is World No Tobacco Day, giving us an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use.
The World Health Organization (WHO) presents World No Tobacco Day each year on May 31st to highlight the harmful effects of cigarettes and other tobacco products on a person’s overall health. In Malheur County, we want to focus on preventing youth tobacco product use and the tobacco industry’s attempts to attract youth. Tobacco is dangerous, and it’s pushed by a dishonest industry. That hurts everyone in Malheur County, whether we use tobacco or not.
Using any kind of tobacco product is unsafe, especially for kids, teens, and young adults.
The younger a person starts using tobacco products, the more likely they are to become dependent on nicotine. The tobacco industry uses this information to attract youth and young people to their products through ads and sponsorships in stores, online, in media, and at cultural events.
The flavors in tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, make these products appealing to kids and teens. Since 2009, tobacco companies have not been allowed to sell cigarettes in flavors other than menthol in the U.S. Still, youth are more likely than adults to smoke menthol cigarettes. Flavoring is also a major driver of e-cigarette use among young people. More than 2 out of 3 youth who currently use e-cigarettes use flavored e-cigarettes, and flavors are a major reason they report starting to use e-cigarettes.
Watch this excellent video from University of Washington Medicine on advice to quit vaping:
If you know someone who is ready to quit using tobacco, help link them to the Oregon Tobacco Quit Line. Free counseling and medication (patch and gum) is available for people to quit smoking, vaping or other tobacco products. Free for all adults and youth over age 13 living in Oregon. Insurance not needed. Coaches are there 24/7. They are real people who have helped others quit for good—no judgments, just help. Learn more about what happens when you call the Oregon Tobacco Quit Line.
In English
Text “READY” to 200-400
Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
www.quitnow.net/oregon
En Español
Call 1-855-DEJELO-YA (1-855-335356-92)
www.quitnow.net/oregonsp
Since 2014, most U.S. youth who said they had ever used tobacco products reported using e-cigarettes, and the percentage has grown over time. E-cigarettes typically contain nicotine, and newer e-cigarettes use a new form of it called nicotine salts, which make it easier to inhale higher levels of nicotine.
Because of the recent rise in e-cigarette use by US middle and high school students, CDC offers resources for parents, teachers, and healthcare providers to help them talk to kids about e-cigarettes.
Everyone—from those who influence youth directly to whole communities—can help prevent children, teenagers, and young adults from trying and using tobacco products.
Parents and other caregivers can:
- Set a good example by being tobacco-free (call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit smokefree.gov and smokefreeoregon.com for help with quitting)
- Talk to kids about the harms of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes
- Know what children watch, and talk about tobacco use onscreen
- Tell kids you expect them not to use tobacco products, or to stop using them
- Refuse to give tobacco products to kids, teens, or young adults
The Office of the Surgeon General has more tips for parents and caregivers to help keep young people tobacco-free.
Healthcare providers can:
- Talk to their patients about the dangers of tobacco use (in a 2015 survey, only 1 out of 3 U.S. high schoolers said their doctor brought up smoking during a visit)
- Ask patients if they use tobacco products, and advise them to quit
CDC offers resources and tools to help providers start the conversation about tobacco and quitting.
If everyone works together to keep youth safe from the harms of tobacco use, we can move further toward a healthier, smoke-free world.