Board briefed on tobacco trends

By BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

The popularity of e-cigarettes continues to rise, according to new reports from Chris Kempker, Henry County?s tobacco prevention coordinator.

The most recent nationwide studies are showing the percentage of U.S. high school students who said they had used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days rose to five percent in 2014, a more than 60 percent jump from 2012 and roughly triple the number in 2011. The percentage of high school students who said they had ever tried an e-cigarette rose, too.

?Studies are reporting an overwhelming number of minors are using e-cigarettes, and this is believed to be because these devices are being targeted directly to younger people,? said Kempker.

Kempker reported these and other statistical findings during the latest Healthy Henry County Communities meeting on Tuesday, June 2. She explained that e-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that allow users to inhale a vapor containing liquid nicotine or other habit-forming substances. Generally, the liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes comes in a wide variety of flavors, which naturally appeal to both youth and adults alike.

?E-cigarettes are not regulated by the FDA, which people need to understand,? said Kempker. ?Without FDA regulation, companies that are producing these things can say that there is something in the cigarettes or the liquid nicotine when, in actuality, it could be something else all together.?

Kempker explained that while early studies show e-cigarettes contain fewer chemicals than regular cigarettes, they also have many of the same toxins as regular cigarettes including formaldehyde. Initial studies also show that there is reason to believe that there is a link to the smoke generated from e-cigarettes and a higher chance of significant lung damage or lung cancer.

And although many believe smoking e-cigarettes is preferable to smoking conventional cigarettes during pregnancy, many professionals are saying otherwise. Conventional cigarettes contain nicotine, as well as a myriad of other toxins. E-cigarettes also usually contain nicotine, which narrows blood vessels. This can mean less oxygen and fewer nutrients reach a baby via the placenta and could affect how well a baby grows.

?Long-terms studies on the harmful effects of e-cigarettes have not had time to come to fruition, and it?s important that people understand that,? Kempker explained. ?We don?t know what we don?t know, but early studies are not necessarily pointing to there being any major health or psychological benefits of smoking e-cigarettes.?

In Henry County, 11 percent of 11th grade students say they smoke, which is lower than the state average, according to a recent statewide study. However, the same study also showed that about 17 percent of Henry County youth had smoked an e-cigarette in the past 30 days, which is slightly higher than the statewide average of about 11 percent.

In an effort to continue to lower these numbers, Kempker has been working hand-in-hand with many local school officials, educating students and parents on the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarettes. She has also been making significant strides with other local businesses.

So far, two apartment complexes in Mt. Pleasant have pledged to operate 100 percent smoke-free, while other convenient stores and markets have moved on-sale e-cigarettes from the general shelves to behind checkout counters with other tobacco products in an effort to make them less accessible to youth.

Cherry Sandeen, of the Henry County Substance Abuse Coalition, was also on-hand to give the HHCC board an update on the coalition?s ongoing projects and upcoming events. This year, the coalition will be losing a significant amount of grant funding due to budgetary cutbacks. However, Sandeen says the coalition is still committed to providing substance abuse education and prevention efforts in the county.

?We have had to get creative with how we get information out to people and how we can get other groups on board with what we are doing in the community,? said Sandeen. ?Overall, the Henry County community has shown us a lot of support, which we do appreciate.?

This past school year, the coalition hosted various school assemblies in the county focusing on marijuana and gave two local students the opportunity to speak in Des Moines about teen substance abuse, among other things.

Coming soon from the coalition will be their annual fundraiser, the Neon Stampede, which is taking place on Friday, July 17.

In addition to hearing from Sandeen and Kempker, the board was also reminded of the following upcoming events:

S.O. Fun Day will be held on Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m., to noon. The day will begin in Swedesburg at 9 a.m., before moving to Olds at around 10 a.m.

Another Daddy Boot Camp will be held on Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Henry County Extension Office. Those interested in joining the class may call 319-931-0067, 319-385-8126, or email sgardner@iastate.edu to sign up.

A Table Affair, a fundraiser for Club M, will be held on Thursday, June 11.

The next HHCC board meeting will be on Tuesday, July 7, at 1 p.m., in the lower level meeting room of the ISU Extension Office in Mt. Pleasant.