A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Plattsburgh, N.Y. - Tobacco-Free Clinton Franklin Essex along with Alcoholism/Chemical Dependency Prevention Program and Akwesasne Wholistic Health & Wellness hosted a Lunch & Learn Series on Tobacco Use & Vaping in October.
The first presentation held on October 16th, included Program Director of Tobacco-Free Clinton Franklin Essex, Dana Bushey Isabella, who shared a presentation called “Nothing New Under the Sun”. This presentation highlights the history of how Big Tobacco Companies have used marketing and advertising to attract its new young customers. “The average age of a new smoker in New York is 13. We know how important our children are to the survival of the tobacco industry. We also know that fewer and fewer young people are choosing traditional tobacco products and vaping is the new innovative way to reach new nicotine users. And it’s working. 27% of New York State high schoolers are now vaping. We cannot let this continue,” said Bushey Isabella.
The afternoon session included a panel of professionals that work with youth in the community to address the issues that they see in and around Akwesasne.
• Lieutenant Ted Cook, Tribal Police, shared some of the high risk behaviors associated with vaping illicit drugs. The risks are higher when we do not know what people are vaping.
• Dr. Horn shared some of the health risks and the real issues facing vapers addicted to nicotine. She explained how the health risks don’t seem to deter youth regardless of the nationwide death toll associate with vaping.
• Shawn Miller, Athletic Director at Salmon River Central School, shared how the use of e-cigarettes and vaping has increased over short period of time and how parents are being educated about the real health risks.
The afternoon session wrapped up with questions from the audience. The following comments from the audience were noted:
“That vape film builds up in your lungs and there is no cure for it.”
“Health concerns with early research pointing to this becoming an urgent concern.”
“Not enough regulation in the US.”
“I learned about the different ways vaping devices can be hidden in plain sight.”
“What are local health organizations doing to educate?”
A second Tobacco Use & Vaping forum was held on October 23rd which mainly featured the “Nothing New Under the Sun” presentation by Dana Bushey Isabella. The organizational committee hosted a dinner prior to the presentation where several community members came out to learn more about tobacco and vaping. The audience had plenty of questions and concerns regarding vaping, which continues to cause serious health consequences.
The Center for Disease Control, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state and local health departments, and other clinical and public health partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI). About the Outbreak:
As of November 13, 2019, 2,172 cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported to CDC from 49 states (all except Alaska), the District of Columbia, and 2 U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands).
• Forty-two deaths have been confirmed in 24 states and the District of Columbia (as of November 13, 2019).
• Latest outbreak information is updated every Thursday.
• CDC continues to work closely with FDA, states, public health partners, and clinicians on this investigation.
Anyone experiencing symptoms using vape products should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Healthcare providers should report possible cases to the local poison control center (1-800-222-1222). If you have questions about the CDC’s investigation into the lung injuries associated with the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products, contact the CDC at 1-800-232-4636.
The New State Smoker’s Quitline now offers cessation support to adults who want to stop vaping. For more information call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). If you would like to get involved at the local level please contact Danielle O’Mara at Tobacco-Free CFE at 518-561-8480 ext 200 or [email protected].
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