When electronic cigarettes -- or “e-cigarettes”-- began making headlines this fall, the Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community was ready. In September and October, the Coalition invited Maureen Buzby, Coordinator of the Mystic Valley Alcohol and Tobacco Control Program, to speak to parents at McCall Middle School and Winchester High School, as well as members of the Winchester Public Schools Wellness Department, and to share some of the tactics used by the tobacco and e-cigarette industry to entice youth to smoke and “vape.”
Even as tobacco cigarette smoking has declined, the use of e-cigarettes by youth has more than doubled from 2011 to 2012, according to the Center for Disease Control. One reason may be that e-cigarettes are being marketed as a safe alternative to smoking. And with all the exciting flavors and cool packaging, these products have great appeal. But getting hooked on e-cigarettes is the same as getting hooked on regular cigarettes. E-cigarettes may not contain tobacco, but they contain nicotine, which is the most addictive substance in cigarettes. Public health experts worry that there is a risk that e-cigarettes could pose as an entry point to using tobacco. And because e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, tobacco regulations do not apply and so in many communities kids can purchase e-cigarettes. Fortunately, some communities, including Winchester, have passed new regulations banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.
The use of non-cigarette tobacco products (chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, Snus and cigars) is also on the rise in Massachusetts. According to Ms. Buzby, it appears that the tobacco industry is deliberately targeting children to try to replace its shrinking market of cigarette smokers. Rolling papers and blunt wraps are intentionally packaged and flavored to resemble candy, making the leap from candy to tobacco an easy one for kids. Little cigars are wrapped in pink and purple foil in strawberry, bubblegum, kiwi, peach, pineapple and honey flavors. (See accompanying photos). They are cheap at 69, 79 or even 49 cents. Chewing tobacco and snuff, favored by student athletes, come in wintergreen, melon, mint, peach and grape.
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The Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community, which is a community-based organization whose mission is to reduce substance abuse and other unhealthy behaviors among Winchester residents, believes that education and awareness are key to keeping these products out of the hands of our youth.
To learn about other Coalition initiatives, please follow the Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community on Facebook.
