Suffolk County Unveils New Youth Vaping Cessation Program ‘Vape Out!’
“The popularity of electronic cigarettes has exploded into mainstream culture to the point where school officials in Suffolk County have asked our public health officials for clarity and assistance in dealing with record numbers of students who are vaping on school grounds,” says Suffolk County Executive Bellone.
In December 2019, Suffolk County Executive Bellone passed new legislation increasing the fines on tobacco retailers that unlawfully sell e-cigarettes to those under 21. The bill, which goes into effect in April, will still penalize retailers $1,000 for the first violation, but now up to $2,000 for each subsequent citation. Additionally, Bellone and Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart ran an undercover sting, Vape Out Operation which occurred from September 4 through September 18, 2019, which resulted in 32 violations issued to employees at 137 establishments that were randomly selected operation. Now Suffolk County is taking the next step to protects its youth from the dangers of vaping. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Office of Health Education has developed the Vape Out! Program for Suffolk County school districts.
“Vaping represents one of the biggest health hazards to youth since tobacco use and we need to get the word out. The term ‘vaping’ itself is a misnomer that implies that these devices are delivering water vapor, when in fact they deliver an aerosol that may contain ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and chemicals that hamper brain development and are linked to addiction, lung disease, and cancer.” says Dr. James Tomarken, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.
Vape Out! is a multistep approach to vaping prevention. The first step took place on January 30th where approximately 30 student volunteers spent a full day learning about vaping and how to talk to younger students about the dangers of vaping. The second step of implementing a youth vaping cessation program is already well underway. Three series of the youth vaping cessation program have been completed and the fourth begins on March 10th.
Each four week Youth Vaping Cessation series meets weekly in Babylon, Brookhaven and Bay Shore, and now the recently added locations of Riverhead and Huntington. Through the interactive program, students learn how to evaluate their choices and responses to social pressures. The program teaches the components of addiction and finding substitutes for the habitual, psychological and physical aspects of vaping.
The Vape Out! Program serves as an alternative to school suspension when students are caught vaping on campus. Students will now spend less time missing school as a consequence and will learn active tools to combat or prevent addiction to vaping. While many students are mandated by the schools, students may attend as a result of a counselor referral or parental concern. Over one hundred students have reaped the educational benefits of the program, with each series averaging fifteen students in attendance. After the series concludes, students are provided with resources supporting their decision to quit smoking.
Grace Kelly-McGovern, Public Relations Director of Suffolk County Department of Health Services has stated “School administrators, parents and students have all provided positive feedback about the classes. Youth who have completed the program have, by word of mouth, told fellow students, who were referred, that it was a positive experience.”
The program runs on a school calendar and series are scheduled until June, although there are plans to continue the program in September. Northwell Health is in the process of implementing the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Vape Out! Youth Cessation Program in Westchester and Montgomery Counties. The Office of Health Education is also in the process of training school staff on implementing the program on-site.
