The youth vaping online information session is on Jan. 24 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Talking to parents about the issue of e-cigarette products could help start discussions about the harms of vaping to their children.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is hosting a free online information session for parents and community members to discuss vaping. The session is on Jan. 24 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This is a fairly new issue for our community compared to other things like tobacco or cannabis, said Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum, associate medical officer for WDGPH.
Public health has partnered with both school boards for the event.
“You know, when it comes to vaping if youth are vaping in schools, if they are bringing vape products to schools to share with their friends, oftentimes the schools are seeing things that we ourselves can’t directly see,” said Tenenbaum.
Information relayed from schools to public health helps them see the health issue in a more concrete way and come up with solutions, he said.
WDGPH wants to make sure parents know what vaping is and the issues around it.
“And we want to give parents some concrete tips or things they can do to engage their children in conversation about what vaping is, why it’s harmful, and how they can reduce or prevent their use,” Tenenbaum said.
Data from the province shows youth despite being underage to purchase tobacco products are “able to access them and are using them in concerning ways,” he said.
We do know commonly people use vapes thinking it will reduce stress, depression or anxiety, he said.
“People are curious, they’re seeing their friends use it. They’re wondering what it’s like. And kind of tied in with that is the idea of to some extent maybe peer pressure that students are experiencing