November is Tobacco Awareness Month!
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, and most adults who use tobacco regularly start before they turn 18. Preventing the use of tobacco and nicotine products by youth, or equipping those who use them with resources and support to quit, is critical to keeping our young people safe and healthy.
Did You Know: Approximately two-thirds of JUUL users aged 15 – 24 do not know that JUUL always contains nicotine. In fact, according to the manufacturer, a single JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of 20 cigarettes. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm youth brain development, which continues until about age 25 (CDC).
According to the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, 2.5 million middle and high school students reported current e-cigarette use, a higher number than in 2021. Among all youth who currently used e-cigarettes, 42% used them on 20 or more of the past 30 days, with nearly half (46%) of high schoolers who vape reporting near daily use. Locally, 11% of MAUMS and 13% of MAU students report using vape products in the past 30 days. Read more here »
ACT was recently awarded funding from Vermont Department of Health’s Division of Substance Use Programs (DSU) to help expand education to reduce vape use among local youth. The ACT/MAUMS Youth Leadership Group is excited to collaborate with the Bennington Office of VDH on this initiative! Stay tuned…
Resources
Remember, educated kids make informed decisions! Parents and caring adults should speak openly and frequently with young people about:
➡️ Harmful effects of nicotine and cannabis on the body and brain
➡️ Big Tobacco’s marketing practices
➡️ Tobacco in pop culture
➡️ Quit resources and support