Because of the serious detrimental effects of smoking, education about quitting smoking is a priority for nursing interventions when caring for patients who smoke. Major organizations that emphasize the role of nurses in helping patients quit smoking include the American Nurses Association, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
You have been charged with developing a Quick Facts Information Sheet on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults.
You start with the following information below: what else do you believe would be important to include in your one page FLYER.
Create a flyer to use in a community outreach clinic with your teens and young adults. Please include references on a separate page. Review the rubric to avoid losing EASY points.
What Are E-cigarettes?
E-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a liquid and produce an aerosol, or mix of small particles in the air.
E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes. Most have a battery, a heating element, and a place to hold a liquid.
Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens, and other everyday items. Larger devices such as tank systems, or “mods,” do not look like other tobacco products.
E-cigarettes are known by many different names. They are sometimes called “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” “tank systems,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).”
Using an e-cigarette is sometimes called “vaping.”
Create a flyer to use in a community outreach clinic with your teens and young adults.
Full Answer Section
Some look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens, and other everyday items. Larger devices such as tank systems, or “mods,” do not look like other tobacco products.
E-cigarettes are known by many different names: “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” “vapes,” “tank systems,” and “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).”
Using an e-cigarette is sometimes called “vaping.”
WHY VAPING IS RISKY FOR YOU:
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NICOTINE IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE:
- Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the same addictive drug found in regular cigarettes.
- Nicotine can harm brain development, which continues into your early to mid-20s. This can affect learning, memory, and attention.
- Addiction to nicotine can make it harder to quit later and may increase your risk of using other addictive substances.
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HARMFUL CHEMICALS BEYOND NICOTINE:
- The aerosol from e-cigarettes is NOT just water vapor. It can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including:
- Heavy metals (like lead, nickel, and chromium)
- Cancer-causing chemicals
- Flavorings linked to serious lung disease ("popcorn lung")
- Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deeply into the lungs.
- The long-term health effects of inhaling these chemicals are still being studied and are largely unknown, but early evidence is concerning.
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LUNG DAMAGE AND RESPIRATORY ISSUES:
- Vaping can irritate your lungs and airways.
- It has been linked to serious lung illnesses, some of which have been fatal.
- Vaping can worsen asthma and other existing respiratory conditions.
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GATEWAY TO OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS:
- For many young people, e-cigarette use can be the first step towards using other tobacco products, including traditional cigarettes.
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EXPLOSIONS AND BURNS:
- Defective e-cigarette batteries have been known to explode and cause serious burns and injuries.
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IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH:
- While some might think vaping reduces stress, nicotine can actually worsen anxiety and depression symptoms over time.
THINKING ABOUT QUITTING VAPING? WE CAN HELP!
- Talk to a trusted adult: parent, guardian, teacher, or counselor.
- Visit our clinic for confidential support and resources.
- Explore online resources (mention specific, reputable websites if space allows, e.g., Smokefree.gov, Truth Initiative).
(Bottom of Flyer - Clinic Information)
[Name of Community Outreach Clinic] [Address] [Phone Number] [Website/Social Media (Optional)]
Your Health Matters. Choose to be Vape-Free.
Separate References Page:
References:
- [Insert citation for source defining e-cigarettes and aerosol] (e.g., U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (Date). E-cigarettes, Vapes, and other ENDS.)
- [Insert citation for source on nicotine addiction and brain development] (e.g., National Institute on Drug Abuse. (Date). Nicotine Addiction.)
- [Insert citation for source on harmful chemicals in e-cigarette aerosol] (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Date). What's in E-cigarettes?)
- [Insert citation for source linking vaping to lung damage/illnesses] (e.g., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Date). Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-cigarette, or Vaping, Products.)
- [Insert citation for source on e-cigarettes as a gateway to other tobacco products] (e.g., National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes.)
- [Insert citation for source on e-cigarette battery explosions] (Search for reputable news articles or reports from organizations like the U.S. Fire Administration).
- [Insert citation for source on the impact of nicotine on mental health] (e.g., Research articles on nicotine and anxiety/depression in adolescents).
Important Considerations for the Flyer:
- Visual Appeal: Use clear, concise language and avoid overly technical jargon. Employ visuals (images, icons, bold text) to make the flyer engaging and easy to read.
- Target Audience: The language and tone should be relatable and impactful for teenagers and young adults.
- Call to Action: Clearly state what you want them to do (e.g., talk to someone, visit the clinic).
- Keep it Concise: A one-page flyer needs to be brief and to the point to capture attention.
Remember to replace the bracketed information with your clinic's details and the actual citations from your research. Good luck with your community outreach!
Sample Answer
Top of Flyer - Eye-catching Headline and Image)
THINK BEFORE YOU VAPE!
(Image: A split image - one side showing a seemingly appealing e-cigarette device, the other side showing a damaged lung or someone looking worried/sick. Alternatively, a graphic with bold, warning symbols.)
What Are E-cigarettes?
E-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a liquid and produce an aerosol, or mix of small particles in the air.
They come in many shapes and sizes. Most have a battery, a heating element, and a place to hold a liquid.