This Friday is World No Tobacco Day, a yearly World Health Organization initiative to raise awareness about the harms of commercial tobacco.
Nicotine is addictive. Young people who use products that contain nicotine might:
- Find it difficult to learn, concentrate and remember things in the short and long term.
- Feel worsening symptoms of anxiety, depression or stress.
- Increase their risk of chronic lung disease and damage.
- Experience burns or injuries due to exploding vaping devices.
Alberta Health Services partners with youth, youth coalitions, parents and other youth allies (such as teachers) to spread awareness about the harms of commercial tobacco and other nicotine-containing products and to spread awareness.
If you are a parent or caregiver concerned about your teen’s use of commercial tobacco products:
- Behind the Haze.ca has answers to common vaping questions and facts.
- Look for youth coalitions across the province who work on peer education and advocacy projects to raise awareness around tobacco and other nicotine-containing products.
- Get involved in community-wide interventions to increase awareness about and provide opportunities to reduce tobacco use in your community.
- Talk to your teen’s healthcare provider or pharmacist for support and recommendations.
- Call the Addiction Helpline, 1-866-332-2322, available 24/7, or Health Link at 8-1-1.
