The Cheatham County Community Enhancement Coalition has put out some alarming data about the county’s middle and high schoolers.
Data from a 2020 student survey showed that 22.6-percent of local 8th, 10th, and 12th-graders have used a vaping device with nicotine.
“It is important to talk to your kid about the health risks of e-cigarettes and create an open dialogue with them,” the Coalition, based out of Ashland City, says.
Many of the products on the market today come in appealing flavors like gummy bear, mango, watermelon, grape, mint, cola, and banana ice. The devices look similar to pens or flash drives, and can easily be mistaken for a USB flash drive or easily be hidden in the sleeve of a hoodie, laptop cases, bra straps, and pockets.
"Teen e-cigarette use has increased alarmingly in the United States in recent years," says the FDA. "Though only a small percentage of teens used e-cigarettes in 2011, 28 percent of high school students and 11 percent of middle school students used e-cigarettes by 2019. In 2020, these numbers declined to about 20 percent of high schoolers and 5 percent of middle schoolers currently using e-cigarettes. While this is progress from last year, youth use of e-cigarettes remains a public health issue that is affecting children, families, schools and communities."
If you or your child need help quitting, you can call TN Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
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