Don’t Let Them Down

Understanding Youth Vaping and What We Can Do About It

Public Health researcher, Dr. David Hammond found that vaping increased by a stunning 74% among 16-19 year olds from 2017 to 2018; and with that cigarette smoking increased by 45% in the same period.

Please join the BC Alliance for Healthy Living on Thursday, April 23rd, 2020 from 9:00am- 10:30am for our webinar highlighting some new programs and other work by leading organizations to address the youth vaping epidemic in BC.

There is much we have yet to understand about vaping. What are the long term effects of inhaling e-juice ingredients such as glycerine and propylene glycol?  How do flavours influence addiction?  Why do youth vape? What are the psycho-social factors we need to consider?

Recent media coverage reporting on lung failure and other health complications related to vaping underscore our nascent understanding of the health risks inherent in these relatively new electronic nicotine devices. But one thing we know for sure are the effects of nicotine. Nicotine is harmful to healthy adolescent brain development and there has been a startling rise in nicotine usage and addiction among youth due to vaping.

Join us as we take a long look at vaping in BC to see what we can learn about the important work being done right here in our province: from youth surveys and research, to educational campaigns and policy development. 

Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4123751751391374348

SPEAKER PROFILES:

 BC Lung Association:

Christopher Lam is the President and CEO of the British Columbia Lung Association. His work includes initiatives on a provincial vaping strategy, including programming and policy development. Chris is also spearheading the first Asthma Education Centre for Children as well as a provincial Lung Health Network, providing patients with an advocacy voice. He has a two-year-old son who loves being outdoors, exploring and just getting dirty.

McCreary Centre Society: 

Annie Smith has been the Executive Director of McCreary Centre Society (McCreary) since 2006. McCreary is a non-governmental not-for-profit committed to improving the health of BC youth through research, evaluation and community based projects.  Annie has conducted a number of recent research projects about youth and vaping and is currently working on a full-length community friendly report about tobacco use and vaping among BC adolescents.

 Art Steinmann is the Manager of the Supporting and Connecting Youth (SACY)- Substance Use Health Promotion Initiative Program at the Vancouver School Board (VSB). This initiative, now in its 15^th year, engages parents, teachers, students, administrators and the greater community to strengthen school-based alcohol and drug prevention and early-intervention programs and policies.  Vaping education is a part of this work and Art will speak about what is happening in school(s), policies and programs in place and how vaping is impacting youth. Previous to working at VSB, Art worked as a private consultant and prior to that was Executive Director of a substance use prevention non-profit organization for 18 years. Art enjoys many activities in beautiful Vancouver with his wife and family.