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.
RELATED LINKS:Learn more about this issue and access stats - Youth Vaping Policy Forum
#quashapp#lunghealthfoundation
SOURCE Lung Health Foundation
For further information: FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS AND BROADCAST SEGMENTS: Contact Rob Bailey, Email: [emailprotected], Phone: 201-819-1134; Margo Rapport, Email: [emailprotected], Phone: 416-895-5672
Follow this link:
- Mom was addicted to vaping until habit caused lung damage - New York Post - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Mom, 30, left with lungs of an 80-year-old after vaping 'fried her lungs like chicken wings' - Daily Mail - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Auburn City Schools combat student vaping with innovative technology - WRBL - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Drop your vape and pick up yourself - Advance Titan - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Costa Rica Bans Synthetic Nicotine in Vaping Products : - The Tico Times - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Alarming Rise of Electronic Vaping Use in U.S. Adolescents - Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report - South Florida Hospital News - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- The important conversation: Nebraska students reveal how to talk - News Channel Nebraska - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- ANOTHER VIEWPOINT: Vaping punishment counterproductive | Opinion | thefacts.com - Brazosport Facts - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Vaping Rates Fall Among Teens, But Still Too High - Griffin Daily News - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Ireland is getting stricter on cigarettes. But is vaping a more urgent problem? - The Irish Times - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- The Takeaways Tobacco Reporter - Tobacco Reporter - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Mum, 30, heard popping as she breathed after vaping addiction fried her lungs like hot chicken... - The Sun - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Vaping and how to stop another chemical generation - Newsroom - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Vaping Rates Fall Among Teens, But Still Too High - Shelbynews - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Vaping Rates Fall Among Teens, But Still Too High - Rockdale Newton Citizen - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Vaping Rates Fall Among Teens, But Still Too High - The Caledonian-Record - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Youth vaping plateaus while adult vaping hits all-time high, survey shows - Talking Retail - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- Vaping is still cool in college and beyond for young adults : Shots - Health News - NPR - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Parents warned over potentially fatal effects of spice vaping - The Irish News - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Study: Vaping Linked to Higher Risk of Heart Failure - Health.com - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Vape registries hurt local retailers, are bad health policy | Commentary - The Post and Courier - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Students caught for first-time vaping offences could face up to S$2,000 fine, according to MOH and HSA - Yahoo Singapore News - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- OSF adds more STEAM to American Heart Association's anti-vaping/smoking and nutrition efforts - Newsroom OSF HealthCare - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Quitting Vaping Doesn't Need to be Hard. The SCPC is Here to Help. - Wyo4News - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Smoking cigarettes can destroy lungs, but shocking new study reveals why vaping can harm the heart - Fox News - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Lawrenceburg HS to Host Parents Against Vaping Event This Thursday - Eagle 99.3 FM WSCH - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Parents urged to talk to young people about vaping Spice dangers | HSC Public Health Agency - Public Health Agency - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Smoking/vaping is now outlawed at most of Twin Hills Park - Crestview News Bulletin - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Events - Free Program to Quit Smoking or Vaping - Brookdale Community College Newsroom - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Vaping trend among Welsh youth focus of anti-vaping campaign - Yahoo News UK - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Demand for new youth anti-vaping program surges as Parliament considers world leading vaping reforms - Department of Health - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Experts warn of youth lung injury crisis due to vaping - pna.gov.ph - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- EXCLUSIVE: Next Big Thing In Vaping? New Leader Has Clues - Benzinga - April 12th, 2024 [April 12th, 2024]
- Most smokers wrongly believe vaping is at least as harmful as smoking, says study - Medical Xpress - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Proposed bill strives to clarify legal vaping products in Georgia - The Atlanta Journal Constitution - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Smoking compared with vaping what both do to your body from the first puff - The Telegraph - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Local teen shares story after nearly dying due to vaping - KOKI FOX 23 TULSA - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Vaping can increase susceptibility to infection by SARS-CoV-2 - UC Riverside - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- As youth vaping skyrockets, SC bill aims to crack down on sales of illegal e-cigs - News From The States - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Whether anti-vaping activists like it or not, vaping helps smokers quit - OCRegister - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Adults in England wrongly think vaping is worse than smoking - study - Euronews - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Iowa vaping bill draws opponents from retailers, health care groups - Southernminn.com - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Young people lead vaping and use of some illicit drugs soar - Cosmos - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Fargo Cass Public Health taking action after growing concerns with teen vaping - INFORUM - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- ATS The Bridge tells Rotarians of youth vaping risks - Cleveland Daily Banner - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Kids are doing this everywhere: New Zealand wrestles with rise of primary school vaping - The Guardian - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Iowa vaping bill draws opponents from retailers, health care groups - Blackchronicle - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Could messages from social media influencers stop young people vaping? A look at the government's new campaign - The Conversation - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Vaping is finally on a downward trend in schools - Lootpress - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- How dangerous is vaping and what is the disposable vape ban? - BBC - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- The Canadian Vaping Association calls on the federal government to maintain science-based vaping regulations - GlobeNewswire - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Doctor shares what happens to your body if you stop vaping - starting after just 30 minutes - The Mirror - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- New study adds more smoke to the vaping debate - Cosmos - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Disposable vapes to be banned in Scotland under new legislation - Yahoo News UK - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Iowa Is One Of The States Working Hardest To Quit Vaping - B100 - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Single-use vapes to be banned in Scotland next year - The Times - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- SGF advises caution on illicit trade after disposable vape ban - Talking Retail - February 24th, 2024 [February 24th, 2024]
- Officials warning teens of the dangers vaping following incident at Smiths Station High School - WTVM - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Spice: the 'zombie drug' being found in some vape liquids - The Conversation - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Siouxland District Health offers new vaping prevention curriculum for youth - Sioux City Journal - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Protecting Youth From the Dangers of Vaping: What's Been Done, What's Needed - Pulmonology Advisor - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Vaping's negative impact on fertility - FOX 26 Houston - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Wake Forest families address vaping and smoking risks involving children - CBS17.com - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- When Doctors Are the Source of Public Health Misinformation - Reason - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Local public health educator discusses dangers of vaping - Standard-Democrat - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Ask Amy: Relatives worry about teen vaping at home - The Denver Post - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Local campaign brings awareness to the dangers of youth vaping - Boise State Public Radio - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Officials warning teens of the dangers vaping - Columbus - WTVM - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The World's Quickest Car And Vaping Have A Lot In Common - Motor1 - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Kentucky House committee passes bill aimed at curbing teenage vaping in public schools - WDRB - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Cloquet students share more about their culture in anti-vaping campaign called Don't Blow It - WDIO - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Shah: Federal menthol flavoring ban could help reduce teen vaping & tobacco use - Long Island Business News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Schumer and anti-vaping zealots should stand down - Washington Times - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Miracle recovery: Teen beats vaping-induced coma, returns to the court - Examiner Enterprise - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Southern 7 Health Department seeing increase in teen vaping - KBSI Fox 23 Cape Girardeau News - KBSI Fox 23 Cape Girardeau News | Paducah News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Abilene ISD reports surge in on-campus vaping, 150+ THC incidents - Yahoo News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- DHS awards $830k to Wisconsin organizations to address youth vaping - WMTV - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Commentary: Flavored tobacco is fueling youth addition - Roanoke Times - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Vaping's Hidden Hazard: Study Questions Safety of Nicotine Inhalation - SciTechDaily - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- NJ town will have cops crack down on youth vaping - New Jersey 101.5 FM - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]