In October, the Food and Drug Administration authorized e-cigarette products for the first time. The FDA gave the go ahead to R.J. Reynolds to market three of its Vuse vaping products. It’s also worth mentioning that the action doesn’t mean the products are safe or FDA approved, stating that every tobacco product is harmful and addictive.
Locally, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is planning on hosting a free Zoom discussion on Tuesday afternoon called E-Cigarettes: What Every Parent Needs to Know. Superintendent Clayton Holland told KSRM:
“A couple of other things happening this week. One, do you know the history of e-cigarettes and what teens are using now? This Tuesday from 3 to 4, there’s a free Zoom discussion with expert guest speakers about what every parent needs to know. Details are on our social media and website. (It’s) a pretty important topic in this day and age. A lot of people are using e-cigarettes. Parents need to be aware of that.”
The two guest speakers include Anna Howland, MPH, CHES, Public Health Specialist/Youth Specialist for the state of Alaska Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and Katie Steffens, Deputy Program Manager, Tobacco Prevention and Control. They will be discussing the history of e-cigarettes, what teens are using now, what to look for and how nicotine affects the developing brain.
The KPBSD Policy Manual states that tobacco use presents a health hazard with serious consequences for tobacco users and non-users alike, saying that students shall not be allowed to smoke, chew or possess tobacco or nicotine products on school property or during school hours, at school-sponsored events, or under the supervision of District employees. The manual states that ‘tobacco’ includes electronic cigarettes.
E-Cigarettes: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Free zoom discussion on Tuesday, 11-16-21 from 3:00-4:00 PM pic.twitter.com/EV1HwzjoW2— KPBSD (@kpbsd) November 10, 2021
