Since the recent outbreak of vaping-related illnesses in the country, doctors and scientists have been conducting studies to understand the effects and possible health risks linked to e-cigarette use.

New research from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA shows vaping may be worse for heart health than tobacco cigarettes, despite the common belief that e-cigarettes are the safer alternative. The study compared the hearts of 10 non-smokers to the hearts of 10 tobacco smokers and 10 e-cigarette smokers after mild exercise. According to Dr. Florian Rader, coauthor of the study and a heart specialist at Cedars-Sinai’s Smidt Heart Institute, the results suggest that “e-cigarettes cause an abnormality that impedes blood flow regulation in the heart.”

This was one of the first studies on the heart-health effects of vaping that found a connection between vaping and an increased risk of heart attack, but it is certainly not the first study that links e-cigarette use to serious health risks. This is especially concerning, considering e-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among both middle and high school students, many of which believe that vaping is harmless.

As we continue to discover new information on the effects of vaping, I encourage you to stay informed by following our social media pages (@DrugFreeNJ) and frequently visiting our website for current news at www.drugfreenj.org. I also encourage you to host PDFNJ’s newly updated 15-Minute Child Break program at your faith-based organization, place of business, senior citizen group, or other community organization. This free one-hour multimedia program informs, encourages and empowers parents, grandparents, educators, coaches and other adult caregivers about how to communicate effectively with children about substance use.

Below are a list of topics covered in the presentation:

• Underage Drinking
• Marijuana Use
• Abuse of Prescription & OTC Medications
• Influence of Media and Pop Culture
• Effects of Specific Drugs
• Identifying Risk & Protective Factors
• Strengthening Parenting & Communication Skills
• Utilizing Teachable Moments

If you choose to host a 15-Minute Child Break program, an educator will come to you to deliver the program in English or Spanish.

For more information or to sign up to host a 15-Minute Child Break program, call 973-467-2100 or click here.