Daily Archives: May 15, 2024

Why South Koreans are in love with Judaism – The Jewish Chronicle

Posted: May 15, 2024 at 10:03 pm

The South Korean ambassador to Israel, Ma Young-sam, raised eyebrows recently when he told reporters the Talmud was mandatory reading for Korean schoolchildren.

South Korea is a country with a deep Buddhist history, but one which has embraced with vigour the Christianity brought to its shores by missionaries in the late 1800s. Official statistics say some 30 per cent of South Koreans are church-going. In such a country, Jews are few and far between.

Yet, pop down to the local corner shop and along with a pot of instant rice or dried noodles, you can buy a copy of Stories from the Talmud. It is not rare, either, to come across book-vending machines stocked with classic works of Babylonian Judaism.

The Talmud is a bestseller in South Korea - even the government insists it is good for you, and has included it on the curriculum for primary school children.

Lee Chang-ro heads a literature research team at the Ministry for Education. He says: "The reasons why Korean children are taught Talmud are pretty obvious. Koreans and Jews both have a long history of oppression and surviving adversity with nothing but their own ingenuity to thank. There are no natural resources to speak of in Korea, so, like the Jews, all we can develop is our minds."

The fascination with Judaism does not end there. Media outlets regularly run newspapers columns on "Jewish education", weekly radio features, and television documentaries, all of them showing Jews in a glowing light.

But although average Koreans can boast that their bookshelves hold at least one or two copies of the Talmud, to think of Korea as a hotbed of latent Judaism would be wrong. The motivation is less to do with religion and more to do with aspiration. Korean parents value schooling above all else. Parents send their children to after-school crammers until midnight and will spend their last penny on tutors and extra lessons. And, shy of good role models on the quest to securing academic success for their offspring, mothers almost unerringly turn to the Jews for inspiration.

Mother-of-two Lee San-sook explains that the way that Jewish children are brought up is universally viewed as positive in Korea.

"The stereotype of Jews here is that they are ultra-intelligent people. Jews have come out of nowhere to become business chiefs, media bosses, Nobel Prize winners - we want our children to do the same. If that means studying Talmud, Torah, whatever, so be it," she says.

Nonetheless, for a small number of Koreans, this love of Jewishness does translate into religious observance, even though, with no synagogues and no access to kosher food, they encounter almost insurmountable problems in leading a Jewish life.

One wannabe Jew, 38-year-old Park Yo-han, has handed in his notice at an investment bank to take the plunge into Judaism. He says he will go to New York, where he knows nobody, has no job prospects, just to follow his dream of Orthodox conversion.

"I've tried just about everything. Converting in Korea isn't difficult - it's impossible," he says.

Jewish observance in Seoul is almost entirely centred on Friday night services in the back of a Christian chapel on a US Army base. Every week, the tiny congregation of ex-pats and locals flip pews containing hymns books and New Testaments to face a pokey little ark for prayers. At the end of the night, everything gets put back in place for Friday night Mass. If there was not a small Ner Tamid hanging above the ark, you really would mistake it for a cupboard.

Most of the regular and long-serving members of the congregation are non-Jewish Koreans - civil servants, doctors and a politician from the ruling party, who is currently squeezing in his attendance between bouts of campaigning for local elections. They have no wish to convert but they take their interest in Judaism seriously. Most boast impressive collections of Judaica and read Hebrew fluently.

Among their number is a living legend of Korean Jewry, Abraham Cha. One of the few Koreans who have actually converted, he is a regular fixture at the US Army base services.

An old man now, he still cuts a memorable figure. He has a wild beard, payot, tzitzit protruding proudly, and maintains an unrivalled personal library of Jewish books from around the world, which he has painstakingly collected.

Cha says he had to give up everything to become an observant Jew in Korea.

"My family don't speak to me any more, I had to divorce my wife. I even had to stop working because they wouldn't give me the day off on Shabbat or on Jewish holidays. My bosses couldn't conceive what it meant to be Jewish."

Although precisely what it involves to be a Jew eludes most Koreans, anti-Jewish feeling is almost unthinkable in this part of the world.

Says Seoul resident Naomi Zaslow, "If you refuse a plate of pork ribs here, people will be dumbfounded. If you tell them it's because you're Jewish, they'll unfailingly look impressed and say: 'Oh, you must be very clever'."

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Contemplating mutual responsibility ahead of Independence Day – The Jerusalem Post

Posted: at 10:03 pm

This Shabbat, Parshat Kedoshim, begins the week we commemorate Remembrance Day and Independence Day. In the weekly Torah portion, God commands, Do not stand upon the blood of your neighbor; I am the Lord (19:16). The Talmud Bavli (Sanhedrin 73a) expounds: From where [do we learn] that if one sees his fellow drowning in a river, or a wild animal dragging him, or robbers attacking him, that he must save him? The Torah states, Do not stand upon the blood of your neighbor. In other words, we must endanger our own lives to save another Jew in mortal danger.

Rambam, in the Laws of Murder and the Preservation of Life (1:14), broadens the scope of this commandment to encompass financial expenditure to save ones friend. He also mentions rescuing a person from a wicked scheme:

Anyone who can save and does not violate the principle of not standing idly by the blood of ones neighbor. Likewise, if one sees a neighbor drowning in the sea, attackers coming upon them, or a wild animal threatening them, and can save them alone or by hiring others to do so but does not, or if one hears rumors of a plot against a neighbor but does not warn them; or if one knows of a dispute and can mediate but chooses not to do so; and in any similar case, one transgresses the commandment of not standing idly by the blood of their neighbor.

The medieval authorities considered the level of danger that required the rescuer to place oneself in harms way to save a friend. The Talmud Yerushalmi goes so far as to assert that one should enter a possible danger to save another person. The Kesef Mishneh (commenting on the aforementioned Rambam) explains that the logic for the Talmud Yerushalmi is likely that while ones friend is in definite danger, the rescuer is in uncertain danger.

The halakhic requirement to endanger ourselves for the sake of others raises the question: Why should a person risk their life for another? Why does the Torah expect this of us?

Rashbam explains the directive Do not stand to mean, Do not stand as an onlooker. In other words, the Torah commands us to cultivate a natural tendency not to turn a blind eye to injustice, danger, or problematic situations confronting others. A Jew cannot stand idly by when another Jew is in distress.

This charge is already evident in the actions of our nations founder. Abraham could not remain indifferent when his nephew Lot was captured. Instead, he ventured out with a limited number of warriors to combat the formidable four kings, risking himself to save Lot and the people of Sodom. Abrahamcould not tolerate the moral injustice of the four kings subjugating peaceful nations.

We find a similar trait of intolerance toward injustice among other biblical heroes. Jacob arrives at Haran and rebukes the shepherds for wasting their time not tending to the flock until all the shepherds gather. Moses steps out of the palace, endangering himself and risking his political standing, and he slays the Egyptian, harming a Jew, and intervenes between the two quarreling Hebrews. The idea of self-sacrifice for others is deeply rooted in our people due to the bonds that tie us together. As the Talmud puts it (Sanhedrin 27b), If one person falls, the other should help his fellow this means that everyone bears responsibility for one another.

Remembrance Day for soldiers, security forces, and victims of terror is a particularly painful day for bereaved families and for each and every one of us. This year, perhaps more than any, owing to the events of October 7, that pain has become a tangible part of our lives. Our mutual responsibility demands that we do not stand idly by the blood of our neighbor that we do not stand by in the face of the reality that our sons and daughters are still held captive in Gaza and that we not stand idly by the blood of our neighbor by insufficiently honoring the memory of the fallen. We dare not stand aside and permit division among our people. It is forbidden for us to enable their blood to have been spilled needlessly; we must instead ensure that we are worthy of their sacrifices and those of their families.

The suffering that has befallen the people of Israel since Simchat Torah calls for introspection. The midrash (Yalkut Shimoni Tehillim 680) expounds on the verse, May the Lord answer you on a day of distress, which seems puzzling. Why does the Lord only answer on a day of distress, after the trouble has befallen? Why doesnt He prevent the distress from occurring in the first place?

The midrash answers with a parable:

To what can the matter be compared? It is like a father and son who are on a journey. The son became weary and asked his father, Father, where is the country? His father said to him, My son, this shall be your sign: if you see a cemetery laid out before you, then the country is near. Similarly, the prophet tells Israel that if you see troubles looming over you, you will be redeemed immediately, as it states, May the Lord answer you on a day of distress.

The father and son symbolize the biological connection and the partnership between the two generations traversing the path. The son, who represents the new generation, grows weary of the prolonged journey and asks his father, Where is the country? When will we finally know that we have arrived so we may rest? The father does not respond directly but gives his son a sign: If you see a cemetery, the country is near.

This midrash contains a profound message that is deeply relevant to our times. The cemetery symbolizes the fact that there are people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Under these conditions, the country is near. Our country, the State of Israel, has a cemetery before it that contains graves of our sons and daughters who have sacrificed themselves so that the country can remain close to us. The proximity between the cemetery and the country signifies a bond between the two that must not be severed. There is no country without a cemetery, and there are no graves without a country. At the same time, the cemetery must be somewhat distant from the city; thus, Bava Batra 2:9 teaches that one should distance... the graves from the city fifty cubits. But even as life must inexorably carry on, we are committed to perpetuating and building the country while keeping our memories front of mind, deepening our understanding of the price others have paid and the price we continue to pay. The people of our country owe their lives to the cemetery and are committed to fulfilling the dreams of the fallen.

On the upcoming Independence Day, it is essential for us to deeply contemplate the concept of mutual responsibility for all facets of Israeli society. Does our entire society understand what mutual responsibility is and what it demands from each and every one of us? It seems to me that the answer to this is not a simple yes and that certain segments of society will need to engage in introspection. Mutual responsibility is not confined to religious devotion; that is part of the concept but not its entirety. The directive of Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor calls upon us to take physical risks for the sake of others. At the same time, mutual responsibility is not just a blood covenant but also a spiritual covenant that is interwoven with the blood covenant. Only when these two covenants unite will redemption come.

This year, more than any other, we must recommit ourselves to both dimensions of the demand for mutual responsibility. In this way, we may yet merit the reward promised by the rabbis: If you see troubles looming over you, you will be redeemed immediately, as it states, May the Lord answer you on a day of distress.

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Israel’s Independence Day is a time for mourning and celebration – Opinion – The Jerusalem Post

Posted: at 10:03 pm

(JTA) - As an undergraduate student, I used to delight in small rebellions. I would pen papers trying to show how different facets of Jewish observance developed, at times differently from what we were told in school.

I spent an inordinate amount of time one semester excavating books from the library to interrogate the mourning practices of the time period called the Omer, the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot we are in the midst of now.

The practice of counting each day between Passover and Shavuot is commanded in the Bible, but over time these days have become chiefly seen as a period of mourning in observant communities. The Talmud notes that over these seven weeks, 24,000 students of the famed sage Rabbi Akiva died because they did not treat each other with respect.

While the Talmud does not explicitly connect this to any mourning practices, most observant Jews today do. In my Jewish day school, we learned that the deaths of Rabbi Akivas students is the reason we dont perform weddings, celebrate engagements or host big parties during this time. Some people refrain from buying new clothes, listening to music or even getting a haircut.

Most Jews who observe these practices continue them until the 33rd day of the Omer, known as Lag Baomer, which is celebrated as the day on which the great mystic Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai died. His death signified a joyful reunification with God and marked the end of the deaths of the students.

These strictures bothered me mostly because the story behind them felt tenuous. My exploration seemed to prove me right - these practices developed over time, and not in the way I was taught. I wrote about how mourning practices were not introduced in talmudic times, but much later.

Around the ninth century, for example, we first see weddings and engagements prohibited. As the centuries rolled on - especially in medieval Ashkenaz - more and more mourning was added to these days and tied to the students of Rabbi Akiva.

There are good reasons to wonder about all of this. The famed medieval authority Maimonides, who systematically categorized all of Jewish law, didnt include these mourning practices in any of his extensive writings, an omission that hints at their late development. And some scholars suggest they became especially important in medieval times because Jews experienced the tragedies of the crusades and found in these rituals of mourning an acute relevance to their own grief.

When I submitted the paper to my professor, I felt a bit triumphant. I had taken a tradition that most around me observed uncritically and excavated its layers of historical development. But as Ive grown a bit more mature, I realize how wrongheaded my approach was - not because I tried to understand a tradition or its development, but in thinking that the Jewish observance of this sacred time should be valued less for being the product of history.

Thats because the Jewish calendar wasnt (only) set by God. The biblical commandment to mark the new month inaugurated a practice of marking time, which Jews have done ever since. We have added rabbinic holidays like Hanukkah and Purim to biblical holidays and infused our days and months with meaning inspired by different Jews across time and space.

Daniel Sperber, an expert in the development of Jewish customs, poignantly observes that the Ashkenazi tradition of mourning during the Omer reflects the tragedy of the persecutions of Tatnu [the first crusade in the 11th century]. Blood touched blood; the blood of Rabbi Akivas disciples is mixed with the blood of the martyrs of Ashkenaz, who sacrificed themselves for the sanctification of Gods name.

To observe Jewish time then is to be bound by Jewish peoplehood and Jewish solidarity. Its to live our lives not guided by scientific history, but by a memory that commands and rewards us with ties of fraternity and even love. That means that when I mourn during the Omer, I am connected to my people - connected to the talmudic rabbis who described a massive tragedy that occurred to an entire generation of students, and connected to every tragedy thereafter that moved Jews to add more grief to these days.

This coming week we will mark Yom Hazikaron, the day of remembrance for fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror who were killed since the state of Israel was established in 1948. This day was created in 1951 to honor those who paid the ultimate price for creating a safe refuge for Jews - a day to which new names are added every year, and which after October 7 will hit many of us much harder.

We will then transition to Yom Haatzmaut, the day celebrating the establishment of the state of Israel, a day connecting us to the millions of Jews whose prayers for Zion across generations have been given new life in our lifetime.

This year, when I mourn and then celebrate Israel, I will not just be reaffirming my commitment to how Jews have continued to add to and develop the Jewish calendar, but I will honor how that living and breathing calendar links generations of Jews together in solidarity.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media, or of The Jerusalem Post.

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Madame Web Broke The Golden Rule Of Superhero Movie Villains Marvel Spent 20 Years Protecting – Screen Rant

Posted: at 10:03 pm

Summary

Madame Web has drawn a lot of criticism since its release, but one of the most egregious mistakes it made was breaking a 20-year-old Marvel movie villain rule. Madame Web remains one of the worst-rated superhero movies, all but sealing the fate of Sony's languishing Spider-Man Universe. Much of the blame for this state of affairs is leveled at the script, penned by the same writers who wrote Morbius. While Morbius was lambasted upon release, however, it at least handled its arch-villain, Milo, with a greater level of respect and nuance.

Madame Web details the origin story of Cassandra Web, indulging in ample creative liberties in adapting her comic book origins. The presence of the movie's villain, Ezekiel Sims, is one of the most notable of these, as the movie transforms him into an out-and-out villain instead of a positive mentor figure like he is in the comics. While this doesn't necessarily warrant criticism in itself, Madame Web failed in every conceivable way to justify his villainy, even at face value.

With an awful script and not a single ounce of charm among the star-studded cast, Madame Web feels like little more than a Spider-Man movie knockoff.

Aside from repeatedly stating that he "came from nothing," Ezekiel Sims reveals very little about his origins - making it exceptionally hard to invest in him as a character. His comic book connection to the mystical side of the Spider-Man mythos is severely underplayed in Sony's adaptation to the point of being nonexistent. Instead, the arch-villain is portrayed as possessing powers similar to Spider-Man without much elaboration, which he proceeds to employ in several attempts (thwarted by Cassie Webb's powers of precognition) to murder three teenagers. His motivations entail surviving a vision of his death at their hands.

In Marvel Comics, Ezekiel Sims is a mentor to and protector of Spider-Man, especially in his confrontations with the vampiric villain, Morlun.

While there is a semblance of sympathy to be found in these motivations, the distinct lack of backstory makes it exceptionally hard to see Sims as more than a villain in a suit hellbent on murder. Poorly executed moments of exposition (comprising most of Madame Web's worst lines) attempt to elaborate on Sims' background but fail to deliver any reason to care about Sims or his looming fate. His seemingly vast amount of wealth and excessive homicidal tendencies are just taken for granted, making him about as compelling as the universally panned portrayal of Bane in Batman & Robin.

All of this flies in the face of a well-established Marvel movie trope and intensifies the errors of Sony's ways. Ever since X-Men and Spider-Man launched the genre into the powerhouse it is today, Marvel movie villains have been at least somewhat sympathetic, with the most sympathetic Marvel movie villains being among the franchise's most iconic. Even if Ezekiel Sims had been a little less blas about murdering everyone (including a pregnant woman) he might have garnered some level of empathy. Instead, he is infuriatingly one-dimensional.

Even Marvel's worst cinematic adaptations of classic villains like Malekith or MODOK are capable of surpassing pantomime levels of villainy. Sony has itself shown that even villains with a one-track mind towards violence, like Carnage, can be compelling with enough backstory, while its second-worst-rated movie in the franchise at least had a sympathetic villain in the form of Milo. In its future attempts to portray the origin stories of villains-turned-antiheroes like Kraven the Hunter, the studio should learn from the mistakes encapsulated by Ezekiel Sims in Madame Web - although the prognosis looks bleak.

Madame Web is now streaming on Netflix.

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Mom was addicted to vaping until habit caused lung damage – New York Post

Posted: at 10:03 pm

A 30-year-old Tennessee mom who picked up vaping early in the COVID-19 pandemic claims the habit nearly killed her, with a doctor reportedly saying it was frying [her] lungs like hot chicken.

Hannah Roth began to hear a popping sound in her lungs last month, and she developed a fever of 104 degrees. Scans in the emergency room reportedly revealed lungs similar to someone in their 80s or a decadeslong smoker.

The doctor came in and showed me my X-ray and said, Do you vape? And he said, Thats why you have pneumonia,' Roth, of Newport, recalled to Kennedy News.

He told me that if I kept on [vaping] then I was going to die pretty much, she added. He took my vape out of my purse and threw it in the trash can.

The mom of two boys said she had never smoked before but started vaping four years ago amid stressful pandemic lockdowns. Soon, she was vaping every hour of the day as her addiction grew.

Then last month, Roth was at her receptionist job when she started getting chills. She had a fever, and she heard the popping sound when she took a breath.

I thought I may have bronchitis because my chest hurt really bad, she explained. That went on for a few days, and then I went to the doctors, and they said I had the flu and gave me medicine.

She said her mom urged her to go to the hospital, where an X-ray reportedly showed an obstruction in her right lung.

It looks like a tree with branches. Its called tree budding, and its basically the deterioration of your lung, Roth shared. Its not supposed to happen unless youre a really heavy smoker.

Roth said she had no idea that was a potential side effect of vaping, which is the act of using a hand-held device to inhale vapor that contains nicotine. Other side effects include dry mouth and throat, shortness of breath, headaches and nausea.

With her 7- and 10-year-old sons in mind, Roth said she has refused to touch a vape since the doctor threw hers away.

The doctor said if I stop vaping, my lungs will be able to heal as long as I dont vape anymore, Roth said. I still get cravings for the vape, but I chew a lot of gum and that helps. Overall, I feel a lot healthier, and Im saving money now too because Im not buying a vape every week.

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She counsels others to quit vaping or avoid trying it altogether.

Even if you think you have control over it, sometimes you just dont, she advised.

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Mom was addicted to vaping until habit caused lung damage - New York Post

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Drop your vape and pick up yourself – Advance Titan

Posted: at 10:03 pm

Michael Buckner / The Advance Titan According to the NIH, 24% of college students are e-cigarette users, and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease symptoms is doubled in comparison to non-users

Created and advertised originally to help those addicted to cigarettes, vapes came out on the scene in 2003 as a healthy alternative to smoking and have gotten increasingly popular since then. This is seen especially in recent years as vape companies are appealing to young adults more and more.

Of course, while vaping may help you quit smoking cigarettes, youre really just trading one addiction for another; not to mention a more intense and harder-to-kick one. In comparison to cigarettes, vapes are tastier, more accessible, better smelling, rechargeable, and can be hit virtually anywhere because of the smoke-less vapor. Vape companies go out of their way to make disposable vapes as colorful and cool-looking as they can. Additionally, Ive even seen some vapes with screens on them that have cute little icons that dance or spin whenever you take a hit so you can get even more of that psychological reward from hitting it.

Dont be fooled. All of this is specifically designed to be addictive, even more so than cigarettes.

According to the National Institute of Health, of 3,754 college students in their 2018 study, 55.2% had used vapes before, 23.2% of which were daily users. With the stress, anxiety and depression that can come with being a college student, its no wonder almost a third of college students vape in search of a coping mechanism. The buzz they get from nicotine provides somewhat of an escape from reality. Moreover, with its popularity in recent years, vaping has become much more socially acceptedwith users and vape stores at almost every corner, non-vapers may be encouraged to try it. You cant even go to a party or bar without seeing somebody hit a vape.

Besides the obvious and scary physical health risks of vaping such as damage to your lungs, immune system, and your (still developing) brain, your vape isnt helping you de-stress as much as you think it is. In fact, its likely doing the opposite. According to the Truth Initiative, an anti-smoking organization, vaping can actually worsen symptoms of anxiety, depression and even ADHD. So, yes, while hitting your vape may relieve stress in the moment, what youre really doing is trading short-term stress relief for long-term anxiety.

As college students, we are especially targeted and fed the lie that vaping can be a viable coping mechanism with our busy schedules, seemingly boundless responsibilities, and the stress and anxiety that comes with being a student.

I know Im starting to sound like your mom or those annoying quitting ads you always skip, but its much more than statistics thats motivating me. I can throw as many numbers and statistics as I want, but I have more than that. I have firsthand experience.

I started vaping my freshman year of college in search of an escape from the anxiety that comes with being a college student. I ignored all of those anti-vaping ads, too, even hitting my vape to them in what I thought was humor and retaliation. Now, I wish more than anything that I wouldve listened. I wish I would have thought twice before buying my first vape at Marleys, and I wish I had known the magnitude this decision would have on me. The normality of vaping is what made me not even think twice. I thought that if everyone else was doing it, surely Id be okay. The idea that vaping is much better than smoking cigarettes convinced me that I was making a responsible decision.

I was so naive for thinking that the thing that helps me deal with my stress couldnt possibly be causing me anxiety. In truth, it was just happening so slowly I couldnt tell. It crept up on me. After a year of consistent and daily vaping, I experienced one of my first panic attacks. Shortly after, I was put on anxiety meds to help manage my worsening social anxiety and ADHD. At the time, I just chalked it up to a tumultuous freshman year.

After almost three years, it got to the point where the only time I didnt feel anxiety was when I was hitting it. I couldnt breathe as deeply, couldnt sing as well, couldnt run or dance or even walk up three flights of stairs without feeling winded or having chest pains. It wasnt just physically killing me, it was also taking away all the life I had.

I never thought I would be strong enough to quit, but one day it got so bad that the anxiety I was feeling on a daily basis from my vape was worse than the anxiety of letting go of this comfort and dealing with the withdrawals. Finally, I put it all in a plastic bag and threw it into the dumpster. It wasnt easy, but I can confidently say that dealing with withdrawals was a small price to pay for getting my life back.

While I am proud of myself for finally quitting, I wish it had never gotten to that point in the first place. I sincerely dont wish the anxiety, enslavement, fatigue and heaviness on even my worst enemies. Thats why I want to write about this.

Although the anti-smoking ads that Truth Initiative and others put out do have a lot of great information and resources, they didnt necessarily motivate me to quit personally. The resources on their website and the text notifications I receive from them have been vital in dealing with withdrawal and temptation post-quitting, but I think a raw testimony can be a helpful tool.

Learn from my mistakes. If youre thinking about starting, dont; if youre thinking about quitting, do it. If youre thinking, that wont happen to me, stop it. Yes it will, and it only gets harder the longer you wait.

Even just starting small by leaving your vape at home when you go to classes or work can help you wean off the drug and prepare you for withdrawal. Things like drinking soda from a straw, chewing gum, or sucking on lollipops can help mimic the oral fixation of vaping, and keeping an object like a lip oil or a highlighter in your pocket can also help mimic the presence of a vape.

Quitting vaping is a mental battle as well, so I recommend keeping a list of reasons why you want to quit to look back on when you feel that urge and temptation. Truth Initiative also has a sleuth of helpful resources on their website such as other peoples testimonies, the benefits of quitting, a free text sign-up that sends advice and motivation straight to your phone and more.

Once youve quit and have found the best way to deal with your withdrawals, all thats left is to find another coping mechanism to replace vaping. This can be anything running, breathwork, listening to music, praying, meditating, exercising, self-care or even just screaming into your pillow. All of these things release dopamine into your brain, the same hormone that is released when you hit your vape. Whats better? These things are naturally occurring, so youre not manipulating your natural dopamine levels, not to mention they dont cost a dime.

Granted, it will get worse before it gets better. The first few days feel similar to the flu, with symptoms like the shakes, fatigue, nausea and anxiety, nothing you havent done before. Besides, those first few days are such a small price to pay for a lifetime of freedom from this harmful drug.

Take it from me, somebody who thought it was impossible to quit. It isnt. I know it can be daunting, but just take it one day at a time. The first few days were the toughest, but after just three days I started to feel better. I felt more energized, less anxious, more focused, and overall happier. So, put down your vape, and pick yourself up. College is hard enough without dealing with addiction.

Sources:

https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/targeted-communities/3-ways-vaping-affects-mental-health#:~:text=Though%20nicotine%20has%20not%20been,ways%20vaping%20affects%20mental%20health.

https://www.thetruth.com/article/vaping-has-real-risks?cid=vap_google_nonbrand_googlegrant_evergreen_none_none_none_1824_none&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2a6wBhCVARIsABPeH1u8Fk_4kEUNzxAsKhcUiQpM5eKeOrDotFC6yFqPWdnxD2SmllC3t9gaAssMEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://newsroom.heart.org/news/depression-anxiety-symptoms-linked-to-vaping-nicotine-and-thc-in-teens-and-young-adults

https://www.thetruth.com/hot-topic/vaping-mental-health#:~:text=Get%20help%20now.-,Vaping%20nicotine%20can%20worsen%20anxiety%20symptoms%20and%20amplify%20feelings%20of,for%20relieving%20stress%20and%20anxiety.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9996725/

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Drop your vape and pick up yourself - Advance Titan

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Costa Rica Bans Synthetic Nicotine in Vaping Products : – The Tico Times

Posted: at 10:03 pm

Costa Rican authorities announced on Tuesday that they will prohibit products containing synthetic nicotine in the country, targeting that substance used in smoking containers for vaporizers and e-cigarettes. This resolution will prohibit the sale, use, commercialization, advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of vaping liquids containing synthetic nicotine and cannabinoids, indicated the Ministry of Health in a statement.

It will also affect products that have incorporated cannabinoid-type liquids because they represent a health risk, it added. The provision will be in effect while the government prepares a reform of the law that regulates this area and that type of device.

According to data from the portfolio, since 2021 a total of 3,170 people were treated in Costa Rican public health centers with diagnoses related to vaping. Of the total, 40% were registered in 2024.

In November 2023, the first case in Costa Rica of a 16-year-old person with a lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarettes after vaping for three months was confirmed.

The National Anti-Tobacco Network (Renata) reacted positively to the decision in a statement and highlighted that they applaud the government for the new regulation.

Costa Rica could be on the verge of experiencing a next epidemic of vaping patients, they argued. From the commerce side, they consider it an injustice, said Michael Araya, owner of the La Pegona chain of smokers stores.

Im totally frustrated, he said. A lot of people are going to be out of work, continuing in a smoke shop without selling smoking products doesnt make sense, a very hard blow to all the investment, Araya added.

On the street, vaporizer consumers like Vivian Garca consider it less harmful than conventional tobacco, which is not prohibited. Non-smokers like Kasey Oporto are happy not to have to inhale the smoke that vapers release on public roads.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in a December 2023 report that urgent control measures for e-cigarettes are needed as they do not help to quit smoking and there is alarming evidence that they harm health. E-cigarettes with nicotine are harmful to health and highly addictive, the WHO said in its report.

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ANOTHER VIEWPOINT: Vaping punishment counterproductive | Opinion | thefacts.com – Brazosport Facts

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Vaping Rates Fall Among Teens, But Still Too High – Griffin Daily News

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Key Takeaways

1 in 20 U.S. teens were vaping during 2021, the latest year for which data is available

That's a decline from the 7.2% of teens who vaped in 2019, but still far too high, researchers say

Vaping has long been linked to increased rates of smoking, as well as a number of lifelong health risks

TUESDAY, May 14, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Vaping rates among U.S. kids in grades 9 through 12 fell to 5% in 2021, the latest year for which data is available.

That's down from a peak of 7.2% of teens who vaped in 2019, a new report finds.

However, the 5% vaping rate observed in 2021 is still more than double the 2% rate observed among teens in 2015, the study authors noted.

It's also only slightly less than the 6% of adults who vaped in 2022.

All of this doesn't bode well for teens' long-term health, said study senior author Panagiota Kitsantas.

Almost 100% of e-cigarettes sold in the U.S. contain nicotine, and the use of these products by adolescents may lead to future abuse of and addiction to additional substances, said Kitsantas, chair of population health and social medicineat Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

The new study is based on a look at data from an ongoing database of youth behaviors compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The data on vaping involved over 57,000 people and began in 2015.

The data also showed a pronounced switch in which teens are more prone to vape. In 2015, boys were more prone to the habit than girls were (2.8% vs 1.1%, respectively). However, by 2021 girls were more likely to vape than boys (5.6% vs 4.5%, respectively), the study found.

Between 2015 and 2021, 12th graders consistently had the highest rate of e-cigarette use, compared to lower grades, the study found.

Vaping "increases risks of nicotine addiction, drug-seeking behavior [and] mood disorders," all of which raise a person's odds for illness and death over time, warned study lead author Dr. Charles Hennekens, professor of medicine at Florida Atlantic.

And even though some may view vaping as an alternative to tobacco smoking, research has shown that people who vape "are more likely to switch to cigarette smoking, which, despite remarkable declines in the U.S., remains the leading avoidable cause of premature death in the U.S. and worldwide," Hennekens said in a university news release.

According to Kitsantas, the continued high uptake of vaping by youth suggest the need for targeted interventions such as mass media campaigns and peer interventions to combat the influences of social norms." She also believes that doctors should routinely screen young patients about whether or not they vape.

SOURCE: Florida Atlantic University, news release, May 13, 2024

Vaping has dropped off a bit among U.S. teens, but rates remain high.

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Vaping Rates Fall Among Teens, But Still Too High - Griffin Daily News

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Lung Health Foundation and Ontario Ministry of Education Partner to Launch First Judgement-Free Initiative to "Quash … – Canada NewsWire

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Mixed evidence aside, vaping remains a popular tool for adults looking to quit smoking but usage patterns among youth tell a different story. Based on the most recent Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey (CTNS), of Canadian teens who vaped in the last month, 69% have never smoked. In fact, several studies have found that young people who vape are much more likely to start smoking in the future, compared to youth who don't vape. As vaping continues to infiltrate the mainstream, Lung Health Foundation efforts underscore the urgent need for awareness and intervention to break the cycle, especially in the most dangerous developmental years of teens who vape.

Empowering Youth to Break Free from Nicotine Addiction with Quash

As World No Tobacco Day approaches on May 31, the Ministry of Education has provided $70,000 to the Lung Health Foundation to support an innovative school outreach initiative promoting the Foundation's multipronged youth cessation program, Quash. This positive initiative aims to be the real-world solution to smoking and vaping by offering judgement-free support to high school students looking to quit, as well as education sessions for educators and parents. It targets over 100 schools across Ontario before the summer break.

Six Ontario school boards representing thousands of students are participating in the Quash school outreach pilot program: Toronto Catholic District School Board, Near North District School Board, Simcoe County District School Board, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, Renfrew County District School Board and St. Clair Catholic District School Board.

Developed with funding from Health Canada, Quash combines a cutting-edge mobile app with comprehensive adult facilitator training. TheQuash app, advanced with input from youth, draws on behavioural change theories like successful wellness apps Noom and Headspace. It empowers users to identify and overcome triggers, rewards progress towards quitting, and ultimately helps them regain control over addictive vaping habits, prioritizing their health and well-being.

A Holistic Approach to Nicotine Cessation

The Quash program takes a holistic approach to nicotine cessation, recognizing the complex factors that contribute to addiction. Through virtual adult facilitator training, school staff and parents can gain valuable insights and strategies to support students on their journey to a vape- and smoke-free life.

The program's website serves as a hub for information, resources and support, ensuring that students, educators and families have access to the tools they need to succeed.

By addressing the issue of youth smoking and vaping head-on, the Ministry of Education and the Lung Health Foundation are taking a proactive step towards empowering the next generation to make informed choices and lead healthier lives.

"Simply talking about the problem will not make it go away, and advocating for change is no longer enough to curtail the growing health crisis among young Canadians who vape," says Lung Health Foundation CEO Jessica Buckley. "The Lung Health Foundation, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, recognizes there needs to be action that engages, educates and ultimately "quashes" the behavioural tendencies of teens who vape. We believe Quash accomplishes just that."

"Think Noom for people who vape," adds Buckley on the behavioural science behind Quashcontent. "It's an integrated youth-driven and youth-developed program with real-world impact, distinguishing itself within its category by prioritizing youth input and engagement. Quash emerges as the most ambitious digital intervention tool today to assist youth in quitting vaping."

The breathtaking truth about youth vaping:

Youth vaping is NOT harm reduction. Of youth 15-19 who have vaped in the previous 30 days, 69% have never smoked. In fact, young people who have used e-cigarettes are up to 3.6 times more likely to transition to smoking cigarettes compared to young people who have not.

Youth vaping is worsening health equity, especially among two notable demographics.LGBTQA+ youth are 1.5 times more likely to vape than heterosexual youth.Indigenous youth are 1.5 times more likely to vape than non-Indigenous youth.

Youth vaping is NOT a coping mechanism.31% of 15-19-year-olds who vape report that it's a form of stress reduction, making it the most common reason youth report vaping.Youth with poor mental health are almost two times more likely to vape.Some research has found that youth who vape are more likely to report anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts.

"Smash your goals (not your lungs)"

"We'll never stop highlighting the negative health effects of vaping, but this campaign takes the message even further by including facts that speak to youth values -- like the way that vaping can negatively affect appearance or athletic performance," explains Erin Dufour, Implementation Manager for Quash at LHF. "These messages sometimes resonate even better than talking about the very real danger."

With presence in hallways, bathrooms, gyms, cafeterias, locker rooms and other student gathering areas, there will be theme-specific graphic promotions and materials that students will immediately notice. "By fostering open dialogue and providing actionable resources, LHF is committed to creating a healthier, vape-free future for Ontario's youth," adds Dufour.

"We know that vaping is addictive and can cause serious, harmful health issues, both physical and mental. With high rates of vaping and cannabis amongst youth, it is clear we must take bold action to safeguard children from this risk," says Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. "Ontario is introducing zero tolerance on vaping by expanding education and investing in new supports that help promote healthy decision-making and curbing this addictive behaviour. By partnering with Lung Health Foundation and other community organizations and public health agencies, our government is restoring focus, safety and personal responsibility back into Ontario schools."

The campaign is set to spark not just real conversation and debate on vaping triggers and habits in schools and at home, but to arm students, parents, guardians and educators with the ultimate tool to break free from the grip of vaping addiction, says Buckley. "This is especially important for high schoolers leading into exams and summer vacation when the opportunities and freedom to vape unnoticed are more frequent."

It Takes a Village to Stop Teen Vaping in Ontario High Schools

To organizations like the Lung Health Foundation, fresh initiatives that deter vaping are a welcome early step in tackling thispervasive issue on high school campuses across Ontario.

To move this work forward, the government is investing $17.5 million in new wrap-around supports for student mental health and parent engagement. This will include:

"Our job is to educate our students, but also to keep them safe," says Emily Samuel, Principal at Near North District School Board, one of the six school boards participating in the pilot program. "The Quash program gives us critical tools to work with students, parents and our teachers in a highly proactive and meaningful way. It is through a well-constructed educational initiative like this that we can help to curtail the teen vaping crisis."

"Every year we learn something new and scary about vaping," says Buckley, describing the breathtaking truth on the urgent need to address youth and vaping. "Vaping research is still in its infancy. We're one of the few North American lung health charities allocating funds to devoted vaping research over the next five years."

About Lung Health Foundation

The Lung Health Foundation is dedicated to improving lung health for all Canadians. Through a range of community initiatives, grass-roots educational programs, research, and advocacy, the organization elevates awareness and fosters a compassionate environment for those affected by lung conditions, including their caregivers. Building on the legacy of the Ontario Lung Association (OLA), which for over a century served as the recognized leader, voice, and primary resource in lung health, LHF has expanded its efforts nationally. To learn more visit lunghealth.ca or for further assistanceemail [emailprotected].Visit us on Instagram @lunghealthfoundation, Facebook at lunghealthfoundation/, and on X at @LungHealthFdn.

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SOURCE Lung Health Foundation

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