Introduction
Vaping and e-cigarette smoking is a common problem among teenagers and young adults (13-23 years old). At this age, people do not understand the full severity of the consequences of their actions. During the years, this can lead to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. In the Las Vegas Primary Care Center (LVPCC) exists little awareness of the implications and risks of the target group environment. This work aims to discuss the prevalence of vape and e-cigarette smoking among adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, a possible solution to the problem in the form of raising awareness will be presented.
Background
Smoking e-cigarettes is a controversial topic. On the one hand, it helps to get rid of the addiction to using regular cigarettes. On the other hand, advertising and public pressure can lead to the onset of addiction in adolescents and young adults (Hart et al., 2018). College students believe e-cigarettes are less harmful to health than regular cigarettes (Case et al., 2016). Young people lack awareness of the consequences of smoking e-cigarettes and vaping (Zawiślak et al., 2020). The seriousness of the problem lies in the increasing prevalence among young people, which statistics show. She says that 95% of smokers try their first cigarette before age 21 («Helping teens quit», 2020). The theoretical foundations are aimed at investigating the factors that influence the desire of young people to smoke. To analyze the results, a systematic heuristic model was used. Modified risk statements (MRS) with any warning labels (Katz et al., 2020). The health warning text does not prompt participants to change their minds about cigarette use. It is usually applied to the back of a package; therefore, many people do not notice it. The images of the likely consequences profoundly affect the psyche and can cause a person to change their mind about smoking. The technique works in the long term since a person negatively affects smoking and can convey his beliefs to friends and family.
Intervention
An intervention to solve the problem is to raise awareness through an educational program. The aim is to increase the knowledge of adolescents and young adults about the dangers and possible consequences. The project’s implementation consists of providing access to materials and distributing thematic brochures to the target group.
Evaluation
The number of adolescents screened over a 3-6 month period will be tabulated. Effectiveness can be achieved if the number of screenings implemented increases during this period. The project’s implementation consists of providing access to materials and distributing thematic brochures to the target group.
Risk/Benefit
Sharing information can help young people give up e-cigarettes and vaping, even if they are already addicted. Teenagers may find information about the dangers of smoking as an adult obsession and act the opposite way.
Health Policy Implications
Lack of evidence-based information on the effects of vaping. Providing access and dissemination of scientific evidence on the dangers of smoking. In addition to the costs of treating the consequences of tobacco use, a person has moral costs such as pain and suffering. Quality of life is deteriorating, and health care costs are rising. Cost savings will result from improved quality of life. Scientifically based information can help a person change their habits and improve their life.
Conclusion/Summary
The prevalence of vaping and e-cigarette smoking in adolescents and young adults is due to a lack of awareness. Packs of cigarettes with pictures of the possible consequences have the most significant impact on the desire to smoke. The solution to the problem is to raise awareness by providing scientific information and distributing brochures to the target group.
References
Case, K., Crook, B., Lazard, A., & Mackert, M. (2016). Formative research to identify perceptions of e-cigarettes in college students: Implications for future health communication campaigns. Journal of American College Health, 64(5), 380–389. Web.
Hart, J. L., Walker, K. L., Sears, C. G., Lee, A. S., Lee Ridner, S., & Keith, R. J. (2018). E-cigarette use and perceived health change: Better health through vaping? Tobacco Induced Diseases, 16(48). Web.
Helping teens quit. (2020). American Lung Association. Web.
Katz, S., Shi, W., Erkkinen, M., Lindgren, B., & Hatsukami, D. (2020). High school youth and e-cigarettes: The influence of modified risk statements and flavors on e-cigarette packaging. American Journal of Health Behavior, 44(2), 130–145. Web.
Zawiślak, M., Zaniuk, M., Karakuła, K., Krysa, T., & Zimnicki, P. (2020). Awareness of dangers of using e-cigarettes among society. Journal of Education, Health and Sport, 10(3), 76. Web.