Vaping is 'Big Tobacco 2.0' and Use Among Teens is Growing by Double Digits
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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Community Service Organizations Directory
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982 and incorporated in 1993, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not for profit organization administered by a Board of Directors. Its mission is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of Bronxville Village, with emphasis on the downtown business district of Bronxville. The BBC uses the dollars raised in its annual spring solicitation letter to residents to fund the mum, tulip and summer flower plantings downtown and at traffic intersections, as well as the summer hanging baskets. Every few years the group spearheads such major endeavors as the renovation of Leonard Morange Square on the west side of the railroad tracks and the beautification of the Lawrence Hospital traffic circle, which included the addition of plants and the building of the fountain that now makes a gracious western portal to our town. The BBC also works with other civic groups to monitor the aesthetics of retail signage, the consistency of sidewalk materials, and litter and graffiti. During Beautify Bronxville Week, the BBC sponsors a poetry reading and works with Scout groups on the annual village clean-up.
Bronxville Beautification Council
PO Box 127
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-6123
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
There are several Boy Scout Troops in Bronxville, including Troops 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Bronxvillle Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded in 1998 to further the understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of the village. The Conservancy furthers its mission through the presentation of programs, publications, lectures and special events that foster an awareness of the village's architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, and lends its support for projects designed to strengthen and preserve those legacies. Anyone who is interested in the Bronxville and its history can become a member; varying levels of membership are available.
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
PO Box 989
Bronxville, New York 10708
http://bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org/
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school. The Foundation raises money each year through donations from school families, community members, and alumni, among others.These contributions fund grants that provide cutting-edge technology, innovative programs and curriculum and other resources that are beyond the scope of public school funding.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0515
https://www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org/
Bronxville Women’s Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
www.bronxvillewomensclub.org
Bronxville Youth Council
The Bronxville Youth Council provides volunteer and leadership opportunities for high school students in the village of Bronxville.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0500 ext 1789
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library’s regular budget and perform other services.
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The mission of the Rotary Club of Bronxville is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and to encourage and foster (1) the development of friendships within the community as an opportunity for service, (2) high ethical standards in business and professions, (3) the application of the ideal of service of each member to his personal and business and community life and (4) the advancement of international understanding, good will and peace through a world fellowship.”
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment, to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”
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