Thursday is the Great American Smokeout--part of Tobacco Awareness Week

Posted: Wed, Nov 14, 2018 10:51 AM

vaping and juuling devices, about the size of USB devices

One in four Iowa adults use tobacco in some form; cigarettes are the most used. Tobacco is the leading cause of death for Iowans, taking the lives of more than 4,400 adults each year. Each year in Iowa 1,300 kids (down from 2,100) kids under the age of 18 become new daily smokers.

According to Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Tessa Willie of Helping Services for Youth and Families, "The youth groups at area high schools, including Decorah, South Winn and Turkey Valley, are working specifically with juuling and vaping education. All area schools have seen an increase in use among students with the electronic smoking devices in both the middle schools and high schools."

Vaping means using an electronic cigarette or other vaping device. It is referred to as vaping because tiny puffs or clouds of vapor are produced when the device is used. E-cigarettes are battery powered and deliver nicotine through a liquid (called e-juice), which turns into a vapor when using the devices. The liquid comes in flavors, such as mint, fruit, and bubble gum, which appeal to kids. Juuling is using a small e-cigarette product that looks like a USB device and can be charged in a laptops USB port.

Youth often believe that the liquid used in vaping only contains water and flavoring and are unaware that it contains nicotine. This may lead them to think vaping is less dangerous than using other tobacco products, such as cigarettes. The amount of nicotine in the liquid can be the same or even more than the amount found in cigarettes.

This week is Tobacco Awareness Week, while Thursday is the nationwide Great American Smokeout. This annual event encourages people to stop using tobacco for the day and to make plans to quit. The Boards of Supervisors from Allamakee, Delaware, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek Counties all have proclaimed this as "Tobacco Awareness Week."

Northeast Iowa residents can take advantage of the program by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), or visiting www.quitlineiowa.org to enroll. Registration specialists and Quit Coaches® are available 24 hours a day.

Learn how to get involved and support tobacco prevention efforts in your community, by contacting Tessa at Helping Services, 563-387-1720.