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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Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
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Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
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Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
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Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
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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.”
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Bronxville 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.”
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Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
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 mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
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LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
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
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
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COUNSELING
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
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
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
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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 Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
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.
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Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
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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