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Project ALERT Educator
To support the implementation of Project ALERT we periodically send out an e-newsletter that will help keep you up-to-date on project goings on. This is our main mode of communication about any updates made to curriculum materials, research participation opportunities, news about current implementations, and other relevant items of interest. It is distributed electronically, and can be sent to an email that you provide. To subscribe to the newsletter, please send us a message. Or if you do not yet have a Project ALERT account, you can create an account now and indicate that you would like to subscribe.

Fall 2015

Fall Systems Go!

Back-to-school is back! While many of you are just now returning to your classrooms, some of the luckier teachers and administrators in southern California started shaping impressionable young minds way back in August. Whatever your starting gate, all of us at Project ALERT are sending our best wishes for a successful school year!

In prepping for this issue of the Educator, we’ve learned that the controversy over teen vaping is really heating up. New laws, new-found health risks, and pricey devices are each playing a part in a troubling dialogue.  But the attraction continues and marketers are pushing harder than ever to give kids their first puff. Check out the update from contributing author and Project ALERT trainer, Dr. Pamela Luna. Wondering about how you can successfully implement or enhance Project ALERT in your classroom? We’ve included 7 Tips for Facilitators that give some great ideas about how you can stay current, involve students, and increase program visibility and buy-in. Finally, some new supplemental guides on e-cigs and marijuana will soon be joining the Project ALERT curriculum. We look forward to getting your feedback on these updated materials. 

We hope you enjoy this issue of the Educator!

An E-Cigarette Primer for Teachers and Students of Project ALERT

What Is An Electronic Cigarette?

An electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette (“e-cig”), is an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS).  The device uses a coil to heat up an “e-liquid” (“e-juice” or “juice”) containing nicotine and other chemicals and turns it into an aerosol for inhalation into the lungs.  Some of the devices look like a cigarette and others are more customized and may be referred to as e-pens, e-hookahs, mods, or tanks.  When a person uses these devices it is referred to as “vaping,” because when the user inhales the aerosol and then breathes it out (exhales), it looks like a cloud of vapor.  E-cigs are battery-powered, and in some models the user can adjust the temperature of the heating element in the liquid to control features like taste, intensity, and vapor output.

Why Do Teens “Vape”?

Some teens choose to vape because they think using ENDS is a way to reduce or to stop smoking cigarettes.  Others may be influenced by ads, attractive packaging, and celebrity endorsements.  Perhaps they like to perform smoke-like tricks with the vapor or find the various flavors in the e-liquid—many of which are sweet—appealing.   Among the many reasons for why teens may continue to “vape” is because they are addicted to nicotine, perhaps through experiences smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or use of e-cigarettes.

How Do Teens Use E-Cigs?

Inhaling an e-cigarette is similar to inhaling a regular cigarette. The difference is that when the user puts the device to their lips and inhales, a heating coil is activated which turns the vaporizing fluids into an aerosol, allowing the lungs to breathe in a variety of chemicals, including highly addictive nicotine, and exhale a mist or “vapor.”  Some models are disposable after normal use over a short period of time.  Others are reusable and must be regularly re-filled with liquid nicotine.  The financial investment can be a deterrent to adolescents when they consider the cost to purchase the device itself, replacement parts and batteries, and the vaporizing fluid (projected costs are about $850 per year for a regular user).  Additionally, retail outlets in many states will not sell e-cigs to minors.

Where Do Teens Use E-Cigs?

E-cigs are not illegal for those 18 and older, but many places do not allow them to be used in public places.  They often fall under the same local laws that restrict the use of tobacco in public places.  This is due to concerns about the health effects, not only for the person using these devices, but also for others who are nearby (second-hand exposure). Schools, movie theaters, sporting events, airplanes, theme parks and many other public places that teens frequent have banned their use. E-cigarette use most likely occurs in private residences and social events.

Why Is It Dangerous To Use E-Cigs?

Nicotine is highly-addictive, producing cravings similar in intensity to heroin and cocaine.  The amount of nicotine in e-liquid varies and is unregulated so a teen can get much higher doses of the substance than they realize.  Many youth that report using e-cigarettes had never used traditional cigarettes.  One worry is that teens are more likely to smoke cigarettes once they become addicted to e-cigs in order to continue receiving their nicotine fix.  Although not everyone who uses e-cigarettes will become addicted right away, it is likely to happen, especially with repeated use. This is of concern especially for teens and how it may impact brain development, which is not complete until around age 25.  Nicotine increases heart rate and blood pressure, causes lung irritation, and can aggravate asthma.

There are known carcinogens and other toxic chemicals in the heated liquid, including formaldehyde, arsenic, aluminum, and lead. Inhaling these chemicals deep into the lungs is very risky.  Since e-cigs are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is typically unknown exactly what is in the e-liquid consumed.  The chemicals can cause birth defects and reproductive harm over time.

Manufacturers and marketers are specifically targeting adolescents.  The liquid nicotine is combined with chemical flavorings such as bubble-gum, cherry, and chocolate, making e-cigs appealing to children and youth.  Design deficiencies in the devices are also a concern. Findings have revealed that the nicotine liquid containers can leak and are not required to be child-proof. Consumption of the liquid by children through the mouth, skin, and/or eyes can poison them--even a little exposure to the nicotine liquid can cause death in young children.

Important Questions Answered

I have heard e-cigarettes will help people to quit smoking cigarettes.

This has not been proven.  Trusted studies have shown that after a short time from switching to e-cigarettes, a person begins to use both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes, introducing even more nicotine into their system.

Isn’t vaping better for you than smoking cigarettes?

Neither is good for you. Both are addicting, present health risks, and cost a lot of money.  Further, once you begin to vape you have a much greater chance of using regular cigarettes and taking on all the risks associated with traditional smoking.

There are lots of ads and information about vaping. Who should I believe?

The cigarette and vaping industries are businesses.  So, they will try their best to sell their products.  Like anything that has to do with your health and well-being, refer to trusted sources first and educate yourself with current research studies.  Ask yourself, “does this person or organization have the experience and authority to make these claims? Do they benefit financially from the product that is being sold? Has sufficient research been done and have the findings appeared in professional publications?” Be discerning and don’t automatically accept what you read and hear—check the facts.

How come there are ads on TV and in magazines for e-cigarettes?

E-cigs are unregulated in the U.S.  The science on the health effects was limited when e-cigs began to be mass marketed and companies are currently allowed to advertise without restrictions.  As time goes on, more trusted information will become available. In the meantime, we already have enough information to conclude that the choice to use e-cigs carries significant health risks.

I heard that a lot of teens are using e-cigarettes?

There has been an increase in the number of teens who have tried e-cigarettes in the past few years. This is a concern because of the potential to become addicted to nicotine, along with other associated health risks.  However, most teens do not use this product and do not smoke cigarettes. In fact, a recent large scale survey of about 15,000 8th graders found that 86% had never used an e-cig in the past year.

Resources

See more information at:

www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes

www.notsosafe.org

http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/vaping-tricks-increase-teens-attraction-e-cigarettes/

Search the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the latest research:

http://www.cdc.gov/

California Department of Public Health. (2015). State Health Officer’s Report on E-Cigarettes: A Community Health Threat. Sacramento, Calif. Available at: 

www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/tobacco/Documents/Media/State%20Health-e-cig%20report.pdf

Crowdis, R. & Luna, P. (2015). A creative way to address the increase in electronic cigarette use by teens. The ALERT Educator (Winter, 2015). Santa Monica, Calif.: RAND Corporation. Available at: 
http://www.projectalert.com/newsletters/winter-2015

Johnston, L. D., O'Malley, P. M., Miech, R. A., Bachman, J. G., & Schulenberg, J. E. (2015). Monitoring the Future: 2014 Overview of Key Findings on Adolescent Drug Use. Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Available at: www.monitoringthefuture.org//pubs/monographs/mtf-overview2014.pdf

Luna, P. (2015). Integrating e-cigarette content into Project ALERT. The ALERT Educator (Winter, 2015). Santa Monica, Calif.: RAND Corporation. Available at: http://www.projectalert.com/newsletters/winter-2015

The Changing Landscape of Cannabis

Over the past several years, those of us working in schools and community organizations have seen a significant change in the attitudes and beliefs that youth have about marijuana. According to results of the most recent 2014 Monitoring the Future study:

 

  • Almost two-thirds (64%) of high school seniors do not view regular marijuana use as harmful compared to just over one-third (35%) 20 years ago.
  • Marijuana use has remained relatively stable among high school students over the past few years.
  • 56.7% of high school seniors say they disapprove of occasional marijuana smoking.

 

Although there are likely several factors impacting this shift in beliefs, recent legalization of both the medical and recreational use of marijuana in a few states and countries has prompted youth to question its potential harmful effects.  We know quite a lot about marijuana and its impacts on youth, and the decision to use it remains a serious one.  We know that marijuana is a psychoactive drug; it may lead to dependency; it can be addictive; some studies have shown it affects memory and learning - to name just a few concerns. There are even greater health risks for adolescents and young adults who use marijuana prior to full brain development (around age 25).  As always, it is our approach in Project ALERT to give youth factual and accurate information, and to support them in making decisions and taking actions that are going to keep them healthy, safe, and drug-free.

 

Periodically updating Project ALERT’s materials is a critical part of maintaining the program’s effectiveness and relevance. To that end, we are going through the core lessons of Project ALERT and strengthening them to include the most current information about marijuana based on new research and trusted sources.

 

Here are a few resources we recommend for teachers and other educators to review to gain a more complete understanding of the health impacts of marijuana:

 

National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse

http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/marijuana

 

Colorado Literature Review 

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/scientific-literature-review-marijuana-related-health-effects

 

2014 Monitoring the Future Report

http://www.monitoringthefuture.org//pubs/monographs/mtf-overview2014.pdf

 

We also recommend these resources for youth:

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-facts-teens/some-things-to-think-about

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-facts-teens/want-to-know-more-some-faqs-about-marijuana

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/marijuana

 

The Project ALERT team wishes to thank Pamela J. Luna, DrPH, MST, Senior Project ALERT trainer, for her contributions to this article and for creating the e-cigarette supplement now on our website at www.projectalert.com.

 

7 Tips for Project ALERT Facilitators

1.     Stay updated on current teen use data. 

Each year new statistics on teen drug and alcohol use are reported via the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future study, where over 50,000 nationally representative 8th, 10th, and 12th graders are surveyed.  Some significant changes have occurred with regards to prevalence of e-cigarettes and attitudes about marijuana over the last few years so it’s best to use current data when presenting these numbers in lessons. 

 

2.     “Class up” your classroom with printable posters. 

Download cool projectable posters and plaster them around your classroom or school each week.   These can be printed in a variety of sizes.

 

3.     Involve teen leaders for positive peer influence.

The Teen Leader Program uses older teens as role models in the classroom along with the Project ALERT teacher.  A full Teen Leader Program Training Manual is available as well as a Teen Leader Notebook.

 

4.     Learn how to teach Project ALERT on your own schedule.

A historical perspective and guide on modifications to the current format is available here.

 

5.     Watch Project ALERT classroom videos on YouTube. 

Project ALERT classroom videos are located both on our website and via YouTube (with closed captioning).

 

6.     Print and display Certificates of Training. 

Certificates are available once you complete either the in-person or online training to learn to teach Project ALERT. The certificate will be emailed to you within 24 hours.  If you need another copy, log in to your account and select the certificate link to re-print.  For your students, print a customizable certificate award upon completion of the lessons.

 

7.     Keep updated via our newsletters and follow us on Facebook. 

Keep up-to-date with new info on e-cigs and marijuana legalization via our quarterly newsletters and Facebook.  If you’ve printed materials after 2011, the Project ALERT teaching materials you have are the most current.

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