New Tobacco-Free Schools Initiative Fights Youth Vaping Through Supportive Environment


youth vaping

The CVS Health Foundation, American Heart Association, Alliance for a Healthier Generation have launched a new initiative to help reduce vaping in schools. The Tobacco-Free Schools Initiative gives schools resources that focus on positive reinforcement for tobacco cessation and prevention, rather than traditional forms of punishment. Addressing the rise in vaping and e-cigarette use for young people is urgent. “Youth vaping is one of the biggest obstacles we face in helping to create the first tobacco-free generation,” said Eileen Howard Boone, SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy, CVS Health and President, CVS Health Foundation, in a press release. “Coming together with the American Heart Association and Healthier Generation allows us to support ...

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Get Help Quitting Smoking for the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 19!


man quitting and stopping smoking by smashing cigarettes

You don't have to stop smoking in one day. Start with Day 1. On Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, you can join thousands of people who will begin their smoke-free journey with the Great American Smokeout. This annual event from the American Cancer Society encourages smokers to make a plan to stop smoking. Need help? Sign up for Quitxt, a free English or Spanish text-message service that turns your phone into a personal "quit smoking" coach from UT Health San Antonio. To join Quitxt, text "iquit" (for English) or "lodejo" (for Spanish) to 844-332-2058. "For the Great American Smokeout, we're excited to share Quitxt to provide real-time help with motivation to quit, setting a quit date, handling stress, and much more, all on your phone," said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of the ...

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Report: Early Life Smoking Drastically Raises Heart Disease Risk


Early Smoking Heart Disease Risk Twitter

Smoking kills, and it’s not just lung cancer — but heart disease, too. Smoking, especially those who begin at a young age, seriously increases a person’s risk of cardiovascular issues, including incidences of mortality, according to recent data from the Journal of the American Heart Association. Smokers, especially those who began the habit before adolescence, showed a correlated increase in cardiovascular-related deaths. “Age at starting to smoke is an important, but underappreciated, determinant of adult cardiovascular mortality, and this study indicates that the [roughly] 5 million US smokers who began before age 15 years are at especially high risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease if they do not quit,” the study states. “If the associations between ...

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Study: Secondhand Smoke Is Sending Children to the Hospital


Secondhand Smoke Sending Children Hospital

Exposure to the fumes from harmful tobacco products, such as cigarettes and cigars, can severely affect people, especially in children. Recent research shows that children who live with a smoker are more likely to become hospitalized than their peers living in smoke-free households. According to Dr. Ashley Merianos, an associate professor in the School of Human Services at the University of Cincinnati, this data does not come as a complete surprise. "In past studies, we found up to nearly one-in-two children who come to the pediatric emergency department are exposed to tobacco smoke," Merianos told The Denver Channel. "We also found that the children who had been exposed had increased respiratory-related procedures, increased diagnostic testing. So, for example, being tested for ...

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More Cities, States Pass Ban on Flavored Vaping amid COVID-19


More Cities and States Passes Ban on Flavored Vaping Amid COVID-19

Since the start of the pandemic, many health experts say smoking and vaping increase the risk of COVID-19. This happens by weakening the function of the lungs making it more susceptible to coronavirus — as well as its overall impacts. Moreover, new data from Stanford University shows that young people who vape are more susceptible to COVID-19 than those who do not. That data—collected from a May 2020 national survey of 13- to 24-year-olds—showed that vapers are five times more likely to get COVID-19. Many cities and states across the US are passing bans on flavored vaping products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flavored Vaping Bans Across the Country Last month the California State Assembly passed a ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and ...

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California Passes Flavored Tobacco Ban



More and more, new research shows that smoking and vaping is associated with a substantially higher risk of COVID-19 progression. Worse, this comes at a time of worry over the impacts of these habits, including a series of vape-related lung illnesses as well as fatalities. Earlier this week, the California State Assembly passed a ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vapes. While this is significant progress, the fight to ban these kinds of items in the Golden State isn't over, yet. The bill will go to the State Senate for a final vote. The Bill and Its Potential Impacts Senate Bill 793, authored by Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), specifically makes any sale punishable by a fine of $250. This also includes flavored e-cigarettes, cigars, and ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 8/25: Secondhand Smoke and COVID-19



Smoking kills — it also harms those who work near, live with, or are close to a smoker. Newfound data shows that researchers are beginning to link secondhand smoke exposure and worsened COVID-19 outcomes. As the pandemic continues to spread throughout the US, health advocates are calling for more significant restrictions on smoke exposure. Let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, to tweet about secondhand smoke exposure, it’s harmful impacts, and how it can influence someone’s experience with COVID-19! WHAT: #SaludTues: Secondhand Smoke and COVID-19 TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST (Noon-1 p.m. CST), Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: @SaludAmerica CO-HOSTS: @ANR_Smokefree PARTICIPANTS: @tobaccofreefla ...

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Study: Vapers 5 Times More Likely to Get COVID-19


Study Vapers More Likely COVID-19

We already know that smoking cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products result in worse coronavirus outcomes. What could be worse? Teenagers and young adults who vape face a much higher risk of COVID-19 than their peers who do not, according to new research from Stanford University. In fact, that data—collected from a May 2020 national survey of 13 to 24-year-olds—showed that vapers are five times more likely to get COVID-19. The risk is seven times higher for dual—smoking and vaping—users. "Young people may believe their age protects them from contracting the virus or that they will not experience symptoms of COVID-19, but the data show this isn't true among those who vape," Dr. Shivani Mathur Gaiha, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral scholar, said in a ...

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The Truth about Smoking and Your Risk of Coronavirus


The Truth about Smoking and Your Risk of Coronavirus cigarettes coughing

Three recent European studies are making bold claims and generating sensational media headlines—like "Smokers seem less likely than non-smokers to fall ill with covid-19." But does the science support these studies? No, according to many health experts. “The results of a small study with significant flaws are being blown out of proportion and people’s lives are potentially being put at risk as a result,” said Dr. Anna B. Gilmore, professor of public health at the University of Bath. WHO even issued a statement on May 11, 2020. They urge researchers, scientists and the media to be cautious about "amplifying unproven claims that tobacco or nicotine could reduce the risk of COVID-19." "There is currently insufficient information to confirm any link between tobacco or ...

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