Prevention

posted on Jul 30, 2019

The FDA has heightened their awareness and involvement in the prevention of adolescent use, and plans to expand the public education campaign, The Real Cost, to focus on prevention of youth e-cigarette use. They have also threatened to ban the public sale of flavoring agents, such as menthol, which has led companies such as JUUL to remove the sale of these products.
Healthcare providers should include a discussion of e-cigarettes with families and adolescents when screening for drug use. Although parents may be using, they should council patients on the health risks associated with adolescent use.
Healthcare providers, caregivers, and public health officials can “champion” prevention in their local and regional communities. Advocating for restrictions in advertising and public sale, changing legal age, banning flavoring agents, and other enhanced regulatory oversight.
Several national organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Food Drug Administration, and National Institute of Heath have released policy statements and additional resources for healthcare providers and caregivers.
Refer adolescents and caregivers to appropriate national and local resources for tobacco and nicotine cessation and addiction treatment, such as gov and the Quitline.