By Angela Seminara, Member, Stronger Together: Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe Coalition

May 22, 2019:  On the evening of May 8, parents, educators, law enforcement officers, elected officials, and concerned citizens from Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe gathered at The Pietruski Auditorium at Concordia College for a presentation and discussion about the Juul/vape epidemic that has overwhelmed middle and high schools in our area.

The event was presented by Stronger Together: Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe Coalition, a newly formed group whose mission is to promote health and wellness in our community and reduce youth substance use. Mimi Boublik from PAVe (Parents  Against Vaping e-cigarettes), Dr. Linda Richter from Center on Addiction, and David Gerber from St. Vincent’s Hospital shared important information and up-to-date research on how this epidemic is affecting youth in our area.

With tobacco use among youth at an all-time low, teen vape use saw the largest increase in substance use in a one-year period ever. There was a 78% increase among high school students and a 50% increase among middle school students since 2017. Dr. Richter shared that 3.6 million middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. As she explained, this is “Big Tobacco 2.0.”

Juul is the most popular device being used, as it is a sleek design and entices users with flavors such as mint, mango, and apple. Most teens don’t realize that the vape pods contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance, more addictive than heroin. Once they start, it is very difficult to stop. There are no proven treatments for teens to help them with nicotine addiction, as patch therapies and nicotine chewing gums are not approved for use with youth.

It was explained that until age 25, the brain is still growing and nicotine has adverse effects. It slows the development of learning, memory, attention, and behavior. It can lead to mood disorders like anxiety and depression as well as a permanent lowering of impulse control. It can also result in an increased risk of other addictions. In sum, as Dr. Richter explained, ”It’s really important to keep your kids from getting addicted before their frontal cortex is fully formed so they don’t have a predisposition towards addiction for the rest of their lives.”  

It was also explained that vaping has other adverse effects. It can result in irritation to the lungs, nose, and throat, coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing, and cracked and drying skin. Also, the flavors that are inhaled can have harmful effects such as respiratory illness and worse. In addition, adolescents who have vaped are four times more likely to report that they have smoked cigarettes.

The presenters explained that there are certain signs to look for if you wonder if your child is vaping, including a secretive attitude and closed door; making frequent excuses to go to the bathroom or outside during gatherings; a sweet smell in their room or on their clothes and frequent burning of candles or incense or use of room freshener to explain the smell; increased thirst, dry mouth (and occasional nosebleeds), and dry cough; and signs of developing a nicotine dependence or withdrawal: changes in sleeping, irritability, coughing, frequent snacking.

What can parents do? The most important thing a parent can do is to stay informed and talk to and share information with their children and health care providers.

The event was recorded and will be replayed on the local cable channels. Check your local guide for times.

Pictured here (L to R): Angela Seminara, Stronger Together; Dr. Linda Richter, Center on Addiction; Mimi Boublik, PAVe; David Gerber, St. Vincent’s Hospital.

Photo courtesy Stronger Together: Bronxville, Eastchester and Tuckahoe Coalition 

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