World No Tobacco Day highlights impact of tobacco, new nicotine products on children & youth

EDMONTON — May 31 is World No Tobacco Day, a yearly World Health Organization initiative to raise awareness about the harms of commercial tobacco.

Nicotine is addictive. Young people who use products that contain nicotine might:

• Find it difficult to learn, concentrate and remember things in the short and long term.
• Feel worsening symptoms of anxiety, depression or stress.
• Increase their risk of chronic lung disease and damage.
• Experience burns or injuries due to exploding vaping devices.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) partners with youth, youth coalitions, parents and other youth allies (such as teachers) to spread awareness about the harms of commercial tobacco and other nicotine-containing products and to spread awareness. If you are a teacher or educator and want to learn more about tobacco and vaping prevention, check out the Grade K-12 Toolkits:

• Grades K-3: Be Tobacco Smart booklet about tobacco litter, and harm on health and the environment.
• Grades 4-6: The Academy for Tobacco Prevention online game to promote engaged thinkers and ethical citizens on tobacco prevention.
• Grades 7-9: GeminAI Rising online game for problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, self-concept and coping skills for young people, and Behind the Haze for vaping questions and facts.

If you are a parent or caregiver concerned about your teen’s use of commercial tobacco products:

• Behind the Haze has answers to common vaping questions and facts.
• Look for youth coalitions across the province who work on peer education and advocacy projects to raise awareness around tobacco and other nicotine-containing products.
• Visit Community Education Service for upcoming webinars on vaping and youth.
• Get involved in community-wide interventions to increase awareness about and provide opportunities to reduce tobacco use in your community.
• Talk to your teen’s healthcare provider or pharmacist for support and recommendations.
• Call the Addiction Helpline, 1-866-332-2322, available 24/7, or Health Link at 811.

Nicotine poisoning is a risk for children and youth. They might ingest vaping solutions or cigarette butts by accident, or misuse products that contain nicotine. If you’re concerned about nicotine poisoning, call 1-800-332-1414 to reach the Poison & Drug Information Service (PADIS). In an emergency, call 911.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services to more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.