The Genesee County Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with the Genesee County Board of Health and the Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) are hosting a community conversation about the impact of vaping on youth in our community. A panel will be present, including representatives from the GCHD, the Genesee Intermediate School District, the Genesee County Prevention Coalition, the Genesee County Medical Society, and the Genesee County Board of Commissioners. This event will be held on Wednesday, October 23rd 2019, from 6 pm to 7pm in the Harris Auditorium of the Genesee County Administration Building located at 1101 Beach St, Flint, MI 48502.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the use of products containing nicotine, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe for youth. From 2017 to 2018, e-cigarette use spiked 78% among high school students and 48% among middle school students. In 2018, more than 3.6 million U.S. kids, including 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 20 middle school students were regular users. Exposure to nicotine during periods of significant brain development, including adolescence, can disrupt the growth of brain circuits that control attention and learning. Effects can be long-lasting and can include lower impulse control and mood disorders. Surgeon General Adams stated, “We have evidence-based strategies to prevent tobacco use that can be applied to e-cigarettes. We must take action now to protect the health of our nation’s young people.”
