Tuesday, October 6, 2015

YAB Teens are Talking About.....The YAB Opportunity, Vapes and Ecigs and What Parents Need to Know.



What is the Youth Action Board Opportunity for teens?
 
  • The Youth Action Board (YAB) is a dynamic and diverse group of teens who are a vital part of the BBCC with representation from all the high schools in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills.  The YAB's goal is to create a positive voice and presence for teens in the community.
  • The YAB connects with other teens, schools, community leaders and local law enforcement. Their concern is for the overall mental health and well being of their peers in today’s challenging times.  Quite simply it is a group of teens that advocates for other teens. 
  • The YAB meets regularly on Sunday afternoons at the Bloomfield Twp. Library, to talk about important, relevant teen issues and to plan substance-free events for their peers in the community.  The YAB hosts a number of events including an annual youth-led dialogue day,  Band Jams and the ever-popular, sports events, and more. 
  • The YAB is flexible, fun and easy to join.  For more information contact our Youth Program Coordinator, Kelly Michaud at kmichaud@bbcoalition.org, visit our website at www.bbcoalition.org or call our office at 248.203.4615.
#What’syourinfluence?
#Livedrug-free##Getinvolvedinsomethinggood#Useyourteenvoice

YAB teens are talking about and answer teens and parents questions about Vapes/E-cigs/Hookah Sticks

Teens want to know…..

Q. So what is wrong with Vaping or E-cigs?  They are supposed to be the safer way to smoke?    

  • Potentially harmful chemicals have been documented in some vape/e-cigarette cartridges, including irritants, genotoxins, and animal carcinogens.
  • Surprisingly enough, there is no requirement to publicize the ingredients of e-liquids, (aka juice).  So, who really knows what’s in that little bottle of chocolate flavored liquid?  According to some studies, diethylene glycol, a chemical toxic to humans often found in anti-freeze can be commonly found in juice cartridges.  Yes that’s right anti-freeze…. And that what you are inhaling into your body along with the nicotine! Yet, this is just one of several toxic chemicals that has been found within e-liquids. 
  • Some smoke shops will make their own house blends and tout all sorts of purity claims, however no one is testing those house blends.  So again… who really knows what is in that pina colada flavored e-liquid cartridge?
  • Vaping creates an addiction. Nicotine, even without the cigarette smoke, is a highly addictive, mind-altering drug. Do you really want to struggle with a lifelong addiction to nicotine at this stage of your life? 
Finally…. If you’re still in doubt then consider this:

  1. The fact that there have not been sufficient scientific studies done on Vapes. 
  2. Vape pens are relatively new to the market and kids are crazy to get their hands on regardless of the health risks.
  3. We don’t know what the long term health risks are.  This unknown makes every you, and every other teenager with a vape pen…. a lab rat!
 Adults and Parents want to know….

Q. What is vaping?

  • Vaping is all the rage these days, but if you don’t know what that means, you’re not the only one. Vaping refers to the act of “smoking” an e-cigarette. This is a device that is supposed to help smokers quit or allow smokers to get a nicotine fix without all the harm of tobacco smoke. An e-cigarette heats up a liquid with dissolved nicotine. The user inhales nicotine and exhales water vapor, not smoke. It should be safer than cigarettes, but the jury is still out on the other ways in which vaping could be bad for you. Teens may be at greater risk of these harms, and we know that more teens are “vaping’ than ever.  And, because nicotine is so addictive, research shows that teens who vape are also more likely to smoke traditional cigarettes.
Q. Why do teens even want to do this?  What do they get from it?

  • It’s an image thing.  They buy into the hype that’s its safe and cool. 
  • They may also think it’s a step-down substance.  Something they can try and use without harm or consequence.
Q. What can Parents do?

  • Talk to your teen. As a parent, you have the power to influence your teen’s decisions. It may seem like they don’t listen to you, but you are still the top influencer in their life. Most parents don’t talk to their kids about drugs, addiction, smoking or drinking, but for those who do, the results are positive. Research shows that teens whose parents talk to them about drugs and alcohol subjects make better choices. Start the conversation today…. and keep it going!

#What’syourinfluence?
#don’tbelieveeverythingyouhear#it’sstillsmoking
#teensandparentstalkoften