Presbyterian Health Plan, Inc. P.O. Box 27489 Albuquerque, NM 87125-7489 www.phs.org Important plan information CC Standard U.S. Postage PAID Presbyterian Health Plan INSIDE Be sure to renew your benefits 3 Sign up to help avoid diabetes 7 Your Fall 2023 With every school year, there come new experiences. You might have a list of things to talk about with your children. Vaping should be near the top of your list. As many as 16.5% of high school students and 4.5% of middle school students report having used vape products (electronic cigarettes) each month. It’s illegal to sell these products to kids under age 21, but they are easy to get online. Smoking electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is a serious health threat for kids and teens. Nearly all e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is made from tobacco and is very addictive. Plus, nicotine and other toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes may permanently damage the heart, lungs, and brain in growing children. What are e-cigarettes? These devices run on batteries. They heat up a fluid to create a mist that people inhale. That liquid goes by many names: • E-juice • E-liquid • Vape juice • Vape liquid The liquid is flavored, so it can taste good. Although some flavors that are popular with kids are banned, children can still access these products. Talk to your children Peer pressure can be tough for children. Talk to them about vaping. If you think your child is vaping — or may start — bring up the topic. Ask your child what they think about vaping. Tell them you care about their health, and talk about the risks. Here are some facts to know and share: • Nicotine use at a young age may make it hard to focus, learn, and even control mood. It can also impact the way the brain builds stronger links between brain cells. • Nicotine use when you’re young may lead to future use of tobacco and other drugs. • The vapor from e-cigarettes contains harmful chemicals that rank as some of the most serious cardiovascular toxins also found in cigarette smoke. • Secondhand vapor is harmful too. Even if your child doesn’t vape, it’s risky for them to be around any friends who do. If you want to know more about tobacco products and support to quit smoking, please visit www.smokefree.gov. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention En español: Si usted desea obtener este boletín en español, llame al (505) 923-5200 o al 1-888-977-2333. Talk to your children about vaping
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