Stratford Groups Partner To Host Vaping Forum

Via the Trumbull Health Department: STRATFORD, CT — Vape products, also known as e-cigarettes, have become popular over the last few years, especially among teens. Thought of as a "healthier" alternative to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain large amounts of nicotine and have been linked to serious lung diseases and even death. It is important to educate both parents and teens about the dangers and harmful effects of these products.

Join the health departments from the towns of Fairfield, Stratford and Trumbull as they host a Community Vaping Forum from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Vincent's Medical Center in rooms two and three of the Hawley Conference Center. The hospital is located at 2800 Main St. in Bridgeport. Speakers include Dr. Dana Cavallo from Yale University, Ruth Canovi from the American Lung Association and State Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey from District 133 in Fairfield. During the educational forum, speakers will discuss the harmful health effects of vaping, how to talk to your kids and the new Tobacco 21 law in Connecticut.

The event is free of charge. Registration is not required but is recommended. Interested attendees can register at communityvapingforum.eventbrite.com. The Community Vaping Forum is co-sponsored by the Stratford Partnership for Youth and Families, TPAUD – Trumbull's Prevention Partnership and Fairfield CARES Community Coalition, as well as St. Vincent's Smoke Stoppers program.

The Community Vaping Forum is timely as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating an outbreak of a lung illness associated with e-cigarette products. According to the CDC, the investigation is ongoing, and although a cause has not yet been identified, all reported cases involve a history of using e-cigarette products. As of September 2019, there have been over 450 possible cases of the lung illness across 33 states, including Connecticut, and unfortunately five deaths. For more information about the outbreak investigation, visit www.cdc.gov.

For more information or questions about the event, contact the Stratford Health Department at 203-385-4090.