E-CIGARETTES 101:

HEALTH & SAFETY CONCERNS,

YOUTH USE, & LOCAL POLICIES

March 31, 2015

C.E.A.S.E. C.E.A.S.E. C.E.A.S.E. C.E.A.S.E. Presents: Presents: Presents: Presents:

Grace Alderson, M.P.H. & Dawn M. Dunn, M.P.H.

About C.E.A.S.E.

� Coalition Engaged in A Smoke-free Effort (CEASE)

� CEASE supports the values, beliefs, and healthy life practices that foster a community that promotes and supports tobacco/nicotine-free behavior among youth and adults.

“Not A Replacement”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaCYlHsISHI

“The Kids Are Not Alright”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaMgWUBPeHY

Electronic Smoking Devices

Electronic Smoking Devices are battery-powered devices that provide inhaled doses of nicotine by heating and vaporizing a solution.

• E-cigarettes• E-cigs• E-hookahs • Hookah Pens• Vaporizers

• Vapes• Vape pens• G-Pens• MOD’s• AVP’s

How They Work

E-Juice & E-Liquid

Many Shapes and Sizes

Youth-friendly Flavors

Marketing & Media

Nicotine Poisonings & Accidents

� Components of electronic smoking devices and chargers have exploded and caused fires.

� E-liquid bottles & e-cigarette cartridges don’t have child-resistant caps & often leak.

� Even a drop of e-liquid (1/2 tsp.) ingested by a small child can be lethal!

Cessation Claims� Lack of sound scientific evidence that e-cigarettes help smokers successfully quit or reduce consumption of traditional cigarettes.

� Studies suggest e-cigarettes inhibit people from successfully kicking their nicotine addiction.

� Dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes do not reduce cardiovascular health risks.

� Not FDA-approved quitting device.

Nationwide Popularity Among Youth

California Youth Choosing E-Cigarettes

The 2013 California Health Kids Survey found that youth in the following grades tried e-cigarettes:

� 11% of 7th graders (vs. 3 % for traditional cigarettes)

�Nearly 25% of 9th graders (vs. about 10% for cigarettes)

�Nearly 30% of 11th graders (vs. about17% for cigarettes)

California Adult E-Cigarette Use

� Use of e-cigarettes in the past 30 days doubledbetween 2012 and 2013.

� For younger adults, aged 18-29, e-cigarette use tripled in one year.

Illicit Drug Use

� Increasing reports of using refillable electronic smoking devices for various illicit substances:

�Marijuana

� Hemp Wax

� Hash oil

�Methamphetamine

� Ecstasy

� Heroin

What Has California Done?

Prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to minors

(Health and Safety Code §119405 )

Proposed Legislation

� Awaiting FDA decision to issue a warning

� Proposed State legislation would

� Put e-cigarettes behind the counter

� Define e-cigarettes as a tobacco product

� Include e-cigarettes in tobacco taxes

LOCAL ACTION CAN BE MORE RESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS

School Policies

�E-cigarettes are prohibited in 19 of the 23 districts Santa Barbara County

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/at/documents/certifiedtfschoolsyr1410.pdf

�Treated the same as tobacco products whether they contain nicotine or not

Santa Barbara County Regulations

�Buellton & Goleta: enclosed public places & worksites, 20 feet from where tobacco use is prohibited, & outdoors at parks, service areas & 75% of outdoor dining

�Lompoc: enclosed public places & worksites & outdoors at parks

�Santa Maria: enclosed public places & worksites & 20 feet from government buildings

�Solvang: enclosed public places & worksites

�Unincorporated Areas: recreational areas, except Lake Cachuma and Jalama Beach

�Carpinteria & Goleta: E-cigarettes placed behind the counter like other tobacco products

Recommendations for Educators &

Health Care Providers

� Encourage cessation� Advise current smokers and e-cigarette users to quit

� Refer users to cessation resources offered by their health plan and to the California Smokers’ Helpline at 1-800-NO BUTTS

� Protect Children from Nicotine Poisoning� Inform parents about the lack of child-resistant packaging on e-cigarette cartridges and e-liquid bottles

� Educate about Misleading Marketing� Educate youth and parents about unknowningredients and misleading advertising and labeling

www.nobutts.org

1-800-NO-BUTTS

Resources

www.countyofsb.org/phd/tobacco

• Santa Barbara Public Health Department

• Local laws/policies

• E-cigarette information

• Downloadable resources in English & Spanish

www.StillBlowingSmoke.org

• California Public Health Department

For More Information

Thank you!

Santa Barbara Tobacco Prevention Settlement Program

Phone: (805) 681-5407Email: phdtobacco@sbcphd.org

Website: www.countyofsb.org/phd/tobacco

www.facebook.com/CoalitionEngagedinaSmokefreeEffort