In Collaboration With SCSU, New Haven Public Schools Launches Initiative to Address Vaping and Nicotine Use

NEW HAVEN, CT — During Red Ribbon Week in October, Southern Connecticut State University students will visit New Haven elementary and high schools to speak in classrooms about the dangers of vaping and nicotine use.

In collaboration with the College of Health and Human Services at SCSU, the school district's initiative hopes to educate the school community about the risks associated with vaping and nicotine use and to provide information about treatment resources.

share the vaping and nicotine use risks and provide information about treatment resources.

"We are grateful to our colleagues at Southern for sharing their expertise so we can undertake this effort, which we hope will contribute materially to the health and well-being of our students and families," schools Superintendent Dr. Madeline Negrón said. "Our goal is an important one, and we want to approach it in a manner that engages all members of our community."

The programming will begin with online “lunch and learn” sessions available to families June 15, 17, or 22. The sessions will be led by Victoria Adams, tobacco program coordinator at SCSU. And in the fall, Adams will train NHPS high school students to present to elementary and middle school students about the dangers of vaping and nicotine use, as well as to conduct follow-up sessions to reinforce the learning.

Southern will provide the district with curriculum on the subjects of substance use and addiction that can be incorporated into existing courses in areas such as health and biology.

School staff will receive training about vaping and nicotine use among students, youth vaping and nicotine prevention and cessation strategies, and restorative approaches to addressing behavioral violations related to vaping and nicotine use.