Protecting Youth from the Harms of Vaping

By Senior Marketing Specialist Emma Irish

Substance use resources to protect our youth from the harms of vaping are available at Southcentral Foundation.

At Southcentral Foundation, we know addressing the issue of youth vaping often requires a multifaceted approach including prevention, education, and providing resources for those already using nicotine products.

In recent years, the rise of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, has sparked significant concern among health care providers and parents alike. These devices, marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, have garnered popularity among young people, leading to a growing epidemic of youth vaping. Despite their perceived harmlessness, e-cigarettes pose serious health risks, particularly to adolescents and young adults whose brains and bodies are still developing.

Using a harm-reduction approach, SCF providers understand that nicotine use, or any substance use may often be coupled with behavioral health challenges and that behavioral health services may be the first step in treatment.

A comprehensive report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights several key risks associated with youth vaping including nicotine addiction, exposure to heavy metals and other toxins, and nicotine withdrawal symptoms, all of which impact developing adolescent brains and bodies. There are approximately 400,000 Alaska Native or American Indian teens in the U.S., and more than half are at-risk of using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Nearly 20% of American Indian and Alaska Native high school students reported using electronic vapor products frequently (on 20 or more days in the last 30 days) compared to 10.7%of high school students overall.

“Starting at age 10, SCF customer-owners are scheduled to see a behavioral health consultant automatically at their annual well child checks,” Michelle Shein, clinical director and primary care provider at Southcentral Foundation said. “We want to catch nicotine, or any substance use, early because we understand that substance use in youth often correlates with other behavioral or mood disorders.”

In addition to addressing behavioral health concerns, another crucial aspect is providing accessible resources for quitting tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. SCF offers a referral-based tobacco cessation program, emphasizing both traditional methods and newer strategies specific to e-cigarettes. By implementing strength-based practices and focusing on guiding individuals to take control of their health decisions, the Quit Tobacco program is a great option for those looking to quit tobacco or other nicotine products. Customer-owners under the age of 18 can participate in the Quit Tobacco program with parental consent. Acknowledging that quitting nicotine or tobacco products is a challenge and can be a gradual process is often the first step toward recovery. Tobacco cessation specialists, primary care providers, and behavioral health clinicians are here to support customer-owners and assist with alternative strategies as needed.

For more information, contact your primary care provider.