1 in 3 MHS students vape
A JUUL, the most popular type of e-cigarette in the United States
The Washtenaw County Health Department reported last week that while less than 2% of Washtenaw County high school students reported smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days, according to the 2017-2018 Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) more than 18% of Washtenaw County high school students were vaping during the past 30 days; an increase from 11 percent in 2015-2016. While this county-wide increase may seem troubling, in Manchester the numbers are even higher; with the number of MHS students vaping in the last 30 days increasing from 14.4% in 2015-2016 to 35% this year.
What is vaping? Vaping is a common way to refer to using an e-cigarette, which is a handheld electronic device that simulates the feeling of tobacco smoking. It works by heating a liquid to generate an aerosol, commonly called a “vapor,” that the user inhales. The liquid in the e-cigarette, called e-liquid usually–but not always–contains nicotine. The dose of nicotine one receives through vaping can vary. Many e-liquids contain flavors and some are specifically flavored like candy.
Since 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated e-cigarette products to be regulated as tobacco products and just like tobacco products, it is illegal to sell them to minors. Where do those MHS students who vape get their supplies? Not online. In fact 47% reported “borrowing,” 16% reported “bought in a store or gas station,” 18% reported “gave money to someone else to buy for them,” and 9% reported “got from an adult.”
While vaping does not carry the same health risks as smoking, it is not safe. The Washtenaw County Health Department warns, “The use of products containing nicotine in any form, including electronic vapor products, is unsafe for youth, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. The brain is not fully developed until the early to mid-20s. Exposure to nicotine during periods of significant brain development, including adolescence, can disrupt the growth of parts of the brain that control attention, learning, and susceptibility to addiction. Effects can be long-lasting and can include lower impulse control and increased mood disorders.”
The jump up from 14.4% of MHS students who vaped in the last 30 days two years earlier to 35% of MHS students vaping in the last 30 days is a startling statistic next to the steady decrease from 2010 to 2018 of students in Manchester reporting using alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs and marijuana. Alcohol use in the past 30 days was 29% in 2010, 22% in 2014 and 17% in 2018. With similar decreases from 2010, marijuana use in the last 30 days is down to 10% of the students, tobacco use is down to 5% of the students, and prescription painkiller use is down to 3%. Vaping is the only increase and the only controlled substance so widely used by students.
The FDA released a statement last Wednesday recognizing youth e-cigarette use as an epidemic. They state that more than 2 million middle and high school students were current users of e-cigarettes in 2017 and that the FDA is requesting manufacturers provide a plan for mitigating youth sales within 60 days, warning that it may restrict flavored e-cigarettes in order to address the youth epidemic.
For young people who have already begun to use tobacco and electronic vapor products and want to quit, the Michigan Tobacco Quitline provides services for Michigan youth of any age. Young people can call the Quitline at 1-800-784-8669 or 1-800-QUIT-NOW and receive free telephone counseling to help them quit tobacco. The Quitline also offers a free text messaging program and a self-guided online program to help youth quit tobacco. The Smokefree Teen website – teen.smokefree.gov – also provides tools to help young people quit.
Manchester Community School’s Superintendent Nick Steinmetz stated that SRSLY has a vaping class they provide for students and parents. The district will be working with SRSLY Manchester this week to set up classes, which they will offer throughout the year.
But…in the good news category, 94% of MHS students reported regularly wearing a seatbelt!
MHS controlled substance MiPHY statistics courtesy of Manchester High School.
The Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) is an anonymous, state-wide, in school, online student health survey of 7th, 9th and 11th graders, performed every 2 years by the Michigan Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.
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