American Lung Association
Announces Robust Plan to End Youth Vaping for Illinois
Students, Parents, Schools
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[September 04, 2020]
In Illinois, 20% of high school students used e-cigarettes in 2019,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s 2019
Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Vaping harms developing lungs and overall
health and may place people at an increased risk for severe illness from
COVID-19. Now, when protecting lung health is more important than ever,
the American Lung Association today announced a broad plan to end youth
vaping.
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“As the school year resumes, more students may experience social
pressure to vape, while others may begin to vape in response to
stress, including stress related to COVID-19,” said Kristina
Hamilton, Advocacy Director of the American Lung Association. “We’re
already facing what the Surgeon General refers to as a ‘youth vaping
epidemic.’ Our communities need support, and as the nation’s trusted
champion of lung health, the American Lung Association is proud to
offer Illinois schools, parents and students proven approaches to
end youth vaping in our communities and state.”
The American Lung Association’s comprehensive plan to end youth
vaping encompasses education, advocacy and research, and has four
components:
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“Get Your Head Out of the Cloud” public awareness campaign with
the Ad Council equips parents with the facts about e-cigarettes
and support conversations before kids start to vape. The campaign
includes free educational resources and guides, conversation
starters and facts about vaping at TalkAboutVaping.org. Video on
YouTube.
Vape-Free Schools Initiative to help school administrators
and educators address the surge of youth vaping through guidance in
implementing a comprehensive tobacco use policy, an alternative to
suspension program for students found non-compliant with existing
tobacco use policies, as well as offering a voluntary youth-centered
tobacco cessation, including vaping cessation assistance, for youth
wanting to quit tobacco use for good. Participating schools will be
recognized as part of the American Lung Association Vape-Free
Schools Initiative in their communities and with parents and staff.
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Targeted advocacy plan to advance proven e-cigarette policies at local,
state and federal levels. During the 2021 state legislative session, we plan to
work to pass legislation to include e-cigarettes in the Smoke Free Illinois Act
to prevent their use in public places.
Research investment of $2 million to understand the effects of vaping on
developing lungs. The organization is also partnering with Northwestern Medicine
in a $25 million National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded grant to study the
longitudinal lung health of millennials, including the long-term impact of
vaping.
For more information about the Lung Association’s work to end youth vaping,
visit TalkAboutVaping.org
About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives
by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy
and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four
strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to
improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and
to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung
Association, a holder of the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a
Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA
(1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.
[James A. Martinez
American Lung Association]
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