It seems like vaping has dominated the headlines in the past year. From the sounds of it, everyone is vaping. There’s good news though: according to the 2017 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, the last year data was available, 73% of youth currently do not use e-cigarettes and 50% of youth perceive vaping as risky. Young people are choosing healthy behaviors… but trusted adults can play a huge role in helping youth make the right choice. Youth who can ask an adult for help are actually 22% less likely to vape; if they can ask a parent, they are 31% less likely to vape.
This is where you come in and start the conversation. Mountain Youth, Eagle Valley Behavioral Health and Eagle County Schools are hosting an interactive workshop to talk about vaping, JUULs, e-cigarettes and how to be that trusted adult for young people. Prevention experts will debunk myths, answer questions and most of all, teach adults how have to conversations with youth about the use of electronic nicotine devices, e-cigarettes and vaping.
Local experts, Denise Kipp, Life Skills manager at Mountain Youth and Red Ribbon Project executive director, and Candace Eves, Eagle County Schools Prevention Specialist, will lead the workshop, sharing statistics, information and encouraging community conversation.
“This workshop will help prevention efforts and encourage healthy habits within our youth community,” says Denise Kipp, Life Skills manager at Mountain Youth and Red Ribbon Project executive director. “We will discuss why tobacco and nicotine use is harmful and we will learn how to address this issue through trusted adult conversations.”
Don’t underestimate your impact as a trusted adult. A trusted adult is a parent, guardian, caregiver, teacher or mentor that is approachable and open to answering questions with accurate information, being able to listen and let the youth lead the conversation. It’s not easy, it’s a little bit awkward but it’s well worth your time. Your relationship with young people has a profound impact on their decisions.
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. We know that the younger a person is when they start smoking or vaping the more likely they are to have long-term issues with that substance into adulthood.
There are so many questions surrounding vaping, it’s hard to know the right answers. As a result of this workshop, participants will have answers, and know where to find additional resources. After attending this workshop, participants will know how to:
* Summarize trends and culture of youth use of electronic nicotine devices, e-cigarettes, and vaping.
* Explain the policies, laws, and health effects of youth use of electronic nicotine devices, e-cigarettes, and vaping.
* Use trusted adult principles to have conversations with young people the use of electronic nicotine devices, e-cigarettes, and vaping.
* Learn about a new student-centered cessation campaign being launched in Eagle County in February 10th.
We implore parents to set aside just two hours in February to be part of this vital community conversation: the first step in changing the behavioral health of our valley.
Learn More:
February 5, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Berry Creek Middle School
Free dinner, childcare and Spanish interpretation included.
Space is limited. Register at www.mountainyouth.org.
Mountain Youth is encouraging youth ages 5th grade and up to participate in this workshop in attendance with a trusted adult/parent. We will have a special breakout session facilitated for youth led by ECS Prevention Specialist Michael Coleman.