C-TURN CFE joins national effort to stop youth vaping

PLATTSBURGH | The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released its Youth Vaping Resource Guide as part of a renewed national effort to stop youth vaping. Although overall youth tobacco use has gone down in recent years, vaping continues to be the top way young people are using nicotine. In 2024, more than 1.6 million middle and high school students said they were currently using e-cigarettes. The Youth Vaping Resource Guide was created to equip parents, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders with tools to push back against the flood of illegal vaping products and the industry practices that put kids at risk of addiction. Research shows that vaping harms brain development, worsens mental health, and increases the risk of chronic disease. Aggressive industry tactics including brightly colored packaging, kid-friendly flavors, and digital game-like marketing continue to drive youth initiation. Locally, C-TURN CFE, in partnership with the New York State Tobacco Control Program (NYS TCP), is working to counter these tactics and reduce youth exposure to nicotine and tobacco industry marketing. The program's efforts focus on: Protecting Youth from Marketing: Working with schools and communities to raise awareness about the ways the tobacco industry targets young people with flavored and disposable e-cigarettes. Creating Tobacco-Free Environments: Partnering with municipalities, housing providers, and community organizations to expand tobacco- and vape-free outdoor and indoor spaces where families live, learn, work, and play. Addressing Tobacco and the Environment: Highlighting the environmental harms of tobacco and vaping products, which generate toxic litter and electronic waste. Discarded e-cigarettes contain batteries, plastics, and nicotine residue that threaten soil, water, and wildlife. By educating the public and supporting safe disposal initiatives, the program works to protect both public health and the environment. "Our work isn't just about preventing nicotine addiction it's also about protecting the places we call home," said Emily Moosmann, Community Engagement Coordinator for C-TURN CFE. "Every vape tossed in the trash adds to our growing e-waste problem. By tackling both the health and environmental harms of vaping, we're helping our communities take a stand against an industry that profits at the expense of our kids and our environment. Through our work with the NYS Tobacco Control Program, we're committed to making sure our youth are shielded from harmful marketing and given the support they need to make healthy choices." Youth and families looking for help quitting can call (1-866-NY-QUITS) or visit nysmokefree.com/drop-the-vape for free and confidential support. For more information about the new Youth Vaping Resource Guide, visit [Youth Vaping Resource Guide]. About C-TURN CFE C-TURN CFE works to reduce tobacco use and exposure in Clinton, Franklin, and Essex counties through education and policy initiatives. C-TURN CFE and Reality Check is a funded partner of the New York State Bureau of Tobacco Control brought to the North Country since 2001 by the Champlain Valley Family Center for Drug Treatment & Youth Services, Inc.

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C-TURN CFE joins national effort to stop youth vaping

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