Reality Check Talks to Brentwood Students About Dangers of Vaping

Reality Check NY, a youth-based, adult mentored statewide youth program operated by the New York State Department of Health and administered by the American Lung Association, facilitated a workshop for the Brentwood Summer Youth Connection Program on the dangers of vaping and tobacco use.

During the workshop 25 Brentwood students explored how companies have intentionally and aggressively marketed tobacco products to youth for years. They also explored the social, educational, and health related consequences of using e-cigarettes. They learned that in the last four years alone, youth e-cigarette use soared 160 percent among high schoolers.

Judith Montauban, Reality Check program specialist said, “This program made kids more aware of what they are up against. Tobacco companies are now using the same decade-old marketing tactics to push flavored e-cigarettes, setting up our kids to become the next generation addicted to nicotine."

The students shared about the trends being seen in their communities, social media and how discussed how they can take a stand against big Tobacco and be the first tobacco fee generation. They were educated on the new Tobacco 21 law signed in New York State, making it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and e-cigarette liquid.

Montauban said, “While raising the age of sale to 21 is an important step in protecting our youth from nicotine addiction it’s only one tool - and we will need to use the whole tool box to solve this deadly problem.”

Next installments of the workshop series will address how students can quit vaping and how to build a support system. Interested students or parents can text DITCHJUUL to 887-09 or visit https://www.thetruth.com/articles/hot-topic/quit-vaping to get started.

The Brentwood Summer youth connection program is sponsored by Suffolk County and the EOC network .