Page 40 - September 2020 Issue.indd

Tips, Classes and

Programs to help
ealth orner
you live healthier!
H C

presentations in the schools last year, tobacco products. Having a conversation
we anonymously surveyed the students. can be meaningful. Asking them about
Eighty-six percent of students in third, what they already know about vapes
fourth, and fi fth grades had heard of and tobacco products is a good starting

Talk to Your Kids about Saying or seen a Juul, vape, or e-cigarette; place. Clarify any misconceptions. Add
No to all Tobacco these young kids were well aware of facts. Talk about setting goals that are
these products. We also asked “Have important to your child or teen. Work
By Heather Grove, RN BSN you tried a Juul, Vape, or E-Cigarette?” through how tobacco use can interfere
and 36 out of 661 of these elementary with those goals.

Many things look different going back school students reported that they had
Set and state clear expectations
to school this year. There are many hot tried one at least once, some reporting

about their behaviors. You may say
topics and controversies around but that they used one a few time – these
something like “I know you’re faced
one thing we likely all agree on is we kids were as young as eight years old!
with a lot of temptations and it can be
want our kids to be safe. Many parents

Most elementary school students hard to avoid this stuff, but I want you
talk to their kids about the dangers of
reported getting their device from a to know nicotine is very addictive and
smoking, drugs, alcohol and other risky
parent. With that said, if as an adult I expect you to stay away from these
behaviors.
you chose to use an e.cigarette or vape products. I want you to be healthy and
When talking about saying no to product make sure any kids or teens I’m here to help however I can.” Know
smoking it is important to include new around you know it is not to be used your resources. If your child or teen
tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, by them. admits to trying or using vapes or other
vapes, Juuls and other similar products. tobacco products, appreciate their
Youth smoking rates have come When looking at middle school data honesty and offer to help them quit.

down greatly over the years through for Caroline County kids we found that The Maryland Quit Line is a great, free

education, regulation, and taxes; we do 93% were aware of Juuls, vapes, and resource to anyone over 13 years old.
not want all that hard work to come e. cigarettes. We surveyed 1,035 sixth, Trained quit coaches are available 24/7
undone just because there are new seventh, and eighth graders and found at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. There are also

products on the market. 224 or 22% had used an e.cigarette, many text based and online resources.
vape, or Juul; sixteen even reported
According to a Surgeon General using it every day. Vaccines & Pregnancy: Top 7
Report, e-cigarette use among high

This data really drives home the Things You Need to Know
school youth increased 78% from 2017
importance of talking to children while
to 2018. Now let us bring that home
they are young about saying no to all Submitted By: La’Tara Brooks
a bit more. Before doing prevention
Caroline County Health Department
1. You aren’t just protecting yourself
—vaccines during pregnancy give your
Joseph H. McCarthy, D.D.S., P.A. baby some early protection too!
Did you know a baby gets disease
FAMILY DENTAL CARE immunity (protection) from mom
during pregnancy? Getting the fl u shot
and Tdap vaccine while you’re pregnant
causes your body to create protective
Accepting New Patients
antibodies (proteins produced by the

Evening & Saturday Appointments Available body to fi ght off diseases) and you
pass on some of those antibodies to
410-482-2242 your baby. This immunity can protect

your baby from some diseases during
13155 Greensboro Rd - Greensboro, MD the fi rst few months of life before your
baby can get vaccinated, but immunity
decreases over time.
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