Brookline Health Director On Vaping

From the Town of Brookline:

September 12 2019

Dr. Swannie Jett, DrPH, MSc, Brookline Director of Public Health and Human Services cautions theBrookline community about dangers associated with vaping.

“Due to the recent incidents involving vaping, I urge residents to be mindful of the dangers associated with these devices. Please don’t tamper or modify these devices in any way from their intended usage. Don’t participate in any contests using these devices. There is limited knowledge about the potential harms associated with flavorings, nicotine, cannabinoids, and solvents so only purchase from approved sources.If you experience any health problems, please consult with your primary care physician immediately, Dr.Jett stated.

Dr. Jett also noted the CDC statement of August 23, 2019 (below) and referred residents to the MADepartment of Public Health campaign, “The New Look of Nicotine Addiction,” originally announced in July, 2018.

The CDC statement by Robert R. Redfield, MD, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Preventionnoted, “We are saddened to hear of the first death related to the outbreak of severe lung disease in thosewho use e-cigarette or “vaping” devices. CDC’s investigation is ongoing. We are working with state andlocal health departments and FDA to learn the cause or causes of this ongoing outbreak.This tragic death in Illinois reinforces the serious risks associated with e-cigarette products. Vapingexposes users to many different substances for which we have little information about related harms –including flavorings, nicotine, cannabinoids, and solvents. CDC has been warning about the identified andpotential dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping since these devices first appeared. E-cigarettes are not safefor youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco productsThe New Look of Nicotine Addiction

(Boston, July 11, 2018) — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has launched its first statewidepublic information campaign to educate parents of middle and high school-aged children about thedangers of vape pens and e-cigarettes. The campaign, The New Look of Nicotine Addiction, seeks tospread the word that these high-tech products are harmful, that they contain nicotine, which can damagea teenager’s developing brain and lead to addiction.

“E-cigarette use among young people is on the rise in the state,” said Health and Human ServicesSecretary Marylou Sudders. “It is important that we educate parents about the risks associated with these products, and empower young people to make informed decisions about their health.”

Nearly half of Massachusetts high school students have tried e-cigarettes at least once and nearly one quarter of them reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days – a rate nine times higher than adults, according to the latest statewide data on the health and risk behaviors of Massachusetts youth. In an alarming 2015 comparison, more high school students reported using e-cigarettes than all other tobacco products combined -- E-Cigs: 23.7%, Cigarettes: 7.7%. Any tobacco products: 15.9%.

“The health risks of using e-cigarettes and vaping pens for youth are clear,” said Public HealthCommissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “Nicotine is addictive and has a negative impact on teen brain development, including increased risk for depression, mood disorders, and future substance misuse.That’s why educating parents on these risks is so important.”

Vape pens and e-cigarettes are the latest examples of how the tobacco industry targets youth in their marketing efforts:

• These products come in nearly 8,000 flavors, many of them sweetened to appeal to younger palates.

• They’re cheaply priced to encourage impulse buys by young people.

• They’re easy to get – available at gas stations, corner stores, pharmacies, mini-marts, and other convenient locations in the community.

More information on the campaign is available at www.getoutraged.org.

This press release was produced by the Town of Brookline. The views expressed here are the author’s own.