Electronic cigarettes (“e-cigarettes,” “e-cigs,” “vapes,” “e-hookahs,” “vape pens,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS),” are experiencing widespread use among American youth. E-cigarette poisonings among children and youth are a concern for health care providers, parents, poison specialists, tobacco control practitioners, educators and others. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2018, more than 3.6 million U.S. middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, including 20.8% of high school students and 4.9 % of middle school students. (1)

National attention has recently focused on vaping-related lung injury. As of November 13, 2019, 2,172 cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported to CDC from 49 states (all except Alaska), D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Forty-two related deaths have been confirmed in 24 states and D.C. (2) Other injury-related consequences of electronic cigarettes include acute nicotine exposure among children and youth caused by swallowing, breathing or absorbing e-cigarette liquid as well as fires and explosions caused by defective e-cigarette batteries, some of which have resulted in serious injuries. (3)

This webinar will be opened with remarks from moderator Angela Marr, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Diane Calello of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES) will describe the extent of the problem by sharing national data from the AAPCC (American Association of Poison Control Centers) and and discuss the toxicity of electronic cigarettes, including the poisoning risks to young children and adolescents. Jennifer Folkenroth of the American Lung Association will provide an overview of electronic cigarettes and present effective strategies to prevent e-cigarette use among youth.

This webinar is geared to maternal child health leaders, injury prevention practitioners, educators, youth-focused organizations, and the public.

Register here.

Sources:

(1) https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html

(2) https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html

(3) https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html