117 Tobacco and Nicotine Use in Teens: Screening and Intervention

https://302.buzz/PM-WhatAreYourThoughts

Dr. Susan Walley was born to work with kids. She was hooked from the beginning. Recognizing that repertory issues are the #1 cause of hospitalization and realizing that parents don’t realize the impact on their own kids, gave her the inspiration to dive into the work of tobacco/nicotine/vaping addiction. Dr. Lia Gaggino asks the questions that you’ve been wondering about. But first, let’s look at some stats:

Results from the Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey (22 findings)

Almost 1 Million Youths use 2 or more tobacco products

E-Cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco products

About 1 Million youths use any combustible tobacco products

• 11.3% (3.08 million) middle & high school students reported current use (past 30 days) of any tobacco product 
• Approximately 3.7% (1.00 million) of all students reported currently smoking any combustible tobacco product
• 3.5% (960,000) reported current use of multiple (≥2) tobacco products 

[00:32 -14:38] Opening Segment

• Dr. Gaggino introduces us to Dr. Susan Chu Walley
• Dr. Walley was born to take care of kids
• Just how dangerous is second-hand smoke?
• Vaping is a Youth epidemic
• The tobacco companies are taking advantage of a loop hole in the law in order to market to kids 

[14:39 - 27:07]  The Teen brain is more sensitive to nicotine   

• Tobacco/Nicotine can cause irreversible brain cell damage and long term behavioral damage.  
• Usually, the gateway to future drug use
• Data is still developing regarding vaping because it’s only been around for a fairly short time
• There are currently around 15,000 vape flavorings 

[27:08 -50:54] Messaging:  What Works? 

• It’s difficult for clinicians to give their recommendations without sounding judgmental
• Motivational interviewing and offering help in quitting is shown to be accepted
• The money is being spent in advertising vs education of the dangers of tobacco/nicotine/E-cigarettes

[50:55 - 58:11]  Closing segment Takeaway

You can reach Dr. Susan Walley

Linkedin:  Susan Walley, MD, MHCM, NCTTP, FAAP | LinkedIn

Resources:

Other episodes you may like:

Episode #20 Talking to Teens about Sex, Drugs & Rock n Roll

https://302.buzz/E20-Teen

Episode #5 Substance Use Disorders and Childhood Exposures

https://302.buzz/E05-SubstanceUseDisorders

Mentioned in the Episode

EVALI stands for E-cigarette or Vaping use-Associated Lung Injury

ACT stands for  Ask / Council / Treat

Resources:

1. MMWR Tobacco Product Use in US Middle and High School Students 11.11.2022.