Community Vaping Forum

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, vape/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.

Please join the Health Departments from the Towns of Fairfield, Stratford, and Trumbull as we host a Community Vape Forum on Thursday, October 3, 2019 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at St. Vincent’s Hospital in the Hawley Conference Center in Rooms 2 and 3 (2800 Main Street, Bridgeport). Speakers include Dr. Dana Cavallo from Yale University, Ruth Canovi from the American Lung Association, and State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey from District 133 in Fairfield. During this educational forum, speakers will discuss the harmful health effects of vaping/e-cigarettes, how to talk to you kids, and the new Tobacco 21 law in Connecticut.

This event is FREE of charge. Registration is not required but is recommended. Interested attendees can register at https://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 (CDC) is currently 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 have a history of using e-cigarette products. As of September 2019, there have been over 450 possible cases of this lung illness across 33 states, including Connecticut, and unfortunately five deaths. For more information about the outbreak investigation, please visit: www.cdc.gov.

For more information or questions about the event, please contact the Gabrielle Diaz, Stratford Health Department at 203-385-4090 or email gdiaz@townofstratford.com.

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