Courtesy of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

As students return to school, this is the perfect time for parents and educators to talk to tweens and teens about the dangers of vaping. Researchers, tobacco control educators, and community outreach specialists at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center are here to help.

Health risks: What local testing shows.

Vaping can have many health risks for youth. Many vapes tested in Roswell Park tobacco labs contain a high concentration of nicotine — a highly addictive substance. Maciej Goniewicz, PhD, PharmD, a toxicology and pharmacology expert who leads research on vaping and flavored tobacco products at Roswell Park, partners with schools across Western New York to understand what’s inside vaping products and the health risks they pose to young vapers. “We have over 30 schools participating,” says Dr. Goniewicz, a Professor of Oncology in the Department of Health Behavior at Roswell Park. “That means we cover about 15,000 students.”

Testing on vapes confiscated from students by area schools and provided to Roswell Park showed that some contained the nicotine equivalent to eight packs of cigarettes, and that roughly 1 in 10 vapes contained cannabis (marijuana). Even in small doses, nicotine exposure in adolescence causes long-lasting changes in brain development, which could have harmful implications for learning, memory, attention, behavior, and future addiction. “We have already analyzed a few hundred samples, but are waiting for new batches of vapes,” said Dr. Goniewicz. “We want to see whether kids are using new products, whether nicotine concentration increased, if there is more cannabis vaping, or any change in using products contaminated with other substances.” For information on how your school can be part of the collaborative research effort to understand vaping use and its impacts on local students, email noel.leigh@roswellpark.org.

The Western New York Youth Anti-Vaping Coalition is a collaboration of organizations working to reduce the youth vaping epidemic by providing current evidence-based education and resources for schools, youth, and parents. Coalition members, including WNY United Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Northpointe Council, and the American Heart Association meet monthly to share ideas, identify, and review new trends and information to include in their outreach. Coalition members are available to give educational presentations to schools, youth groups, or community forums. To request a presentation on youth vaping or to join the WNY Youth Anti-Vaping Coalition, contact Jenna Brinkworth, Community Engagement Manager at Tobacco-Free Roswell Park, at jenna.brinkworth@roswellpark.org.

DropTheVape is a free text-based service that makes it easier for teens and young adults to quit vaping. Provided by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), this evidence-based service was developed by the Truth Initiative® with input from young people who wanted to quit vaping. New York State residents ages 13-24 can participate by texting “DropTheVape” to 88709. Enrollees receive interactive daily text messages tailored to their sign-up or target quit date. Messages include motivation, tips, coping strategies, and exercise to reassure that they CAN quit. It’s one of many free confidential services available through the New York State Quitline. Call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visit www.nysmokefree.com to learn more.