HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base Public Health officials will offer a presentation, “The Truth About Vaping,” May 28 at 1:30 p.m. at the base conference center for anyone with base access.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, e-cigarette aerosol can include nicotine, cancer-causing chemicals, ultrafine particles and heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead. It can also include flavorings like diacetyl, which is a chemical linked to serious lung disease.
“The Food and Drug Administration has been doing community outreach in response to the growing trend of vaping,” said Maj. Monica Forrest, a Public Health officer with the Connecticut Air National Guard and full-time FDA employee. “The FDA is working to educate the community by presenting the facts on what we know and don’t know about vaping.”
U.S. Public Health Service Commander Deb Emerson, an FDA investigator, will be the presenter.
Last year the FDA launched “The Real Cost” Youth E-Cigarette Prevention Campaign, to educate children about the dangers of e-cigarettes.
According to a September 2018 FDA release, “the campaign targets nearly 10.7 million youth aged 12 to 17, who have used e-cigarettes or are open to trying them.”
As a result, officials encourage parents of teens to attend and learn more about the harmful effects of vaping.
“We would really like to reach parents since e-cigarettes are used by nearly one of every 20 middle school students and nearly one of every five high school students,” said Forrest.
The presentation is also ideal for adults who currently vape or are considering starting to vape.
“We want to get the word out about the potential health risks associated with vaping,” Forrest said. “We really would like to talk to anyone that will listen.”
In a Health.mil report last fall, officials warned about using the e-cigarette devices.
“While there may be fewer toxins in e-cigarettes, people should still be aware that there can be harmful toxins in the product liquid,” said Army Lt. Col. Sally DelVecchio, chief of Pulmonary Critical Care Service at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Northern Virginia, in the Health.mil report.
For further information about the FDA presentation, contact the 66 MDS Public Health Office at 781-225-6295.