Important Information: The Health Risk of JUULs

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ACPS LogoFor your reference, the following letter about the health risks associated with JUULs and e-cigarettes was emailed to parents on April 25, 2018:

Dear Parents and Guardians:

We want to bring to your attention the health risk of JUULs, which are a type of e-cigarette (or vape) that is growing in popularity among young people across the country. JUULs are increasing in prevalence with teenagers due to their youth-friendly flavors, easy-to-hide design, and the misconception that they are non-addictive and safe to use.

A recent University of Michigan study found that the use of e-cigarettes has surpassed tobacco use and that among middle and high school students, e-cigarettes are twice as common as regular cigarette use.

Research by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine says:

  • Nicotine intake from e-cigarettes can be comparable to that from conventional cigarettes.
  • E-cigarette use results in symptoms of dependence on e-cigarettes.
  • The use of e-cigarettes by youth and young adults increases their risk of using conventional cigarettes and can increase the likelihood that an individual will end up addicted to traditional cigarettes at some point in their life.
  • There is no evidence that e-cigarettes are an effective way to stop the use of regular cigarettes, especially compared with no treatment or to FDA-approved smoking cessation treatments.

In addition to misleading information about the harmlessness of e-cigarettes, of even greater concern is the accessibility to vaping devices and the ease with which their use can be concealed. The JUUL e-cigarette is gaining popularity because it resembles a computer flash drive. Devices are relatively inexpensive: A starter pack, which includes four pods, can cost as little as $35, and additional pods range from $14-$19. According to USA Today, “One Juul pod used in the device has as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes.”

We hope you will consider having a conversation with your children about the health risks of vaping, and specifically JUULing. Because of how they are advertised, some youth do not recognize that these products are in fact e-cigarettes and that they contain addictive nicotine. In addition to its health consequences, vaping can be grounds for disciplinary measures at school, since the possession and or use of e-cigarette devices of all kinds on school grounds is prohibited by Albemarle County Public Schools policy.

For more information about tobacco or other substances, please contact Region Ten Prevention at 434-972-1800 or at prevention@regionten.org. More information about this risk to the health of our students can be found at these links:

Sincerely,

Lt. Terry Walls
Community Support Division
Albemarle County Police Department

Lori Wood, LPC
Director of Prevention, Outpatient & Youth Crisis Services
Region Ten Community Services Board

Dr. Nicholas J. King
Student Services Officer
Albemarle County Public Schools