Tobacco-Use Prevention Education
The purpose of these grant funds is to implement, maintain and enforce a tobacco-free school policy in school districts as authorized by California Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 104420, and conduct the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS).
The focus of the CDE鈥檚 Coordinated School Health and Safety Office is to provide students with the knowledge and skills that enable them to be tobacco free. Implementing a tobacco-free school policy and surveilling the prevalence of tobacco-use behaviors are fundamental to this effort.
TUPE
Have you checked out the New website for the Smokers Helpline?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
E-Cigarettes (Vaping)
The U.S. Surgeon General has called e-cigarette use (vaping) by youth an 鈥渆pidemic鈥, and warned it threatens decades of progress toward making sure fewer young people use tobacco.
Know the Facts
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the highly addictive drug in tobacco. Nicotine is especially harmful to young people. The human brain keeps developing until around the age of 25. Using products with nicotine under age 25 can harm the part of the brain responsible for memory, attention, and learning.
What Educators Need to Know
There is evidence that young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke regular cigarettes in the future. In addition, the liquid that e-cigarettes heat to form an aerosol (vapor) contains harmful ingredients鈥攊ncluding heavy metals and even cancer-causing chemicals鈥攖hat can be breathed deep into the lungs. The part of the e-cigarette that heats up may also explode or cause serious burns.
Be Aware of 鈥淗idden鈥 E-Cigarettes
If you work with young people, you may have seen an e-cigarette device without even knowing it. The most often sold e-cigarette in the U.S. is a brand called JUUL, which . JUUL 鈥減ods鈥, which contain liquid heated by the device, have as much nicotine as a pack of 20 cigarettes. They also come in flavors, which can make them more appealing to young people. E-cigarettes can also look like other everyday items, such as highlighters, USB drive, credit cards, remote controls, and pens.
Everyone Can Play a Part
Educate yourself about e-cigarettes. Know what to say when the topic comes up. The earlier and more often you speak with young people about e-cigarettes, the more likely they are to listen.
It is important that schools, community centers, and other places where young people gather during and after school hours have tobacco-free campus policies. Make sure students know about the policy and that it is enforced. School and community events should also set a good example by not accepting sponsorship form tobacco or e-cigarette companies.
Young people are also more likely to pay attention if the adults in their lives who they trust and respect are willing to talk. Teachers and administrators can use health classes and assemblies during the school year to invite students to ask questions about e-cigarettes. Find out about e-cigarette prevention programs teachers can use in their classrooms to let students know about the risks of e-cigarette use. Visit the for resources and more information.
It is important to give students who do use e-cigarettes and want to stop the support and resources they need to quit. Many resources are available, including a mobile app to help youth quit using e-cigarettes.
Adults, lead by example 鈥 be tobacco free. If you use any tobacco products, . Youth are more likely to use tobacco products if others around them do. As students return to classes this school year, help make sure they are more informed and confident than ever about making healthy choices.
Nicotine Pouches: A New Threat
Recent years have seen the introduction and increased popularity of nicotine pouches due to the extremely high levels of nicotine, which have serious impacts on the developing adolescent brain. This fact sheet provides important information on these new products and how they can negatively impact youth, including by hindering their academic success. The California Department of Education is deeply concerned that the introduction of this product represents yet another challenge in our continued efforts to prevent California students from becoming addicted to nicotine.
Resources
For Parents, Teachers, Coaches, and Health Care Providers
- Parent Guide:
- Fact Sheet:
- Fact Sheets: E-Cigarettes and Youth
- Infographic:
- Print Ad:
- Evidence Brief:
For Young People
- Kick It California:
- Presentation:
- : Information for Teens Who Use Tobacco Products
- Mobile Program
- SB 793 Quit Campaign:
I Choose To Be Vape-Free
Contact Information
Miriam Belopolsky
Sr. Director | County TUPE Coordinator
(760) 312-6498
mbell@icoe.org