Tobacco Cessation Education

Implement Effective 100% Tobacco-Free School Policies

N.C.G.S. section 115C-407 requires that every North Carolina school district have a written 100% tobacco-free school policy that prohibits the use of any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, on campus and at school-related events for students, staff, and visitors. Schools and communities should continue to educate and train school staff to support this policy and tobacco-free school compliance.

• Free Tobacco Prevention Resources for Schools and Parents New, April 27, 2022
• Materials from the Public Health Law Center
• Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids, How Schools Can Help Students Stay Tobacco-Free (2019)
• Effective communication strategies and enforcement protocols
• Artwork to the current Tobacco Free Schools sign

For students who violate the tobacco-free schools' policy, we recommend:

• Confiscate and do not return the tobacco products, including e-cigarettes/vaping devices and e-cigarette paraphernalia, cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco and snuff, and hookah tobacco and paraphernalia from the student.
• Use an alternative to out-of-school suspension. Find free, effective options in this resource list (PDF)
• Offer cessation support to any student who is ready to quit. If your school does not have cessation services available, see cessation resources below.

Call in a Consultant

Your Regional Tobacco Control Manager is available to provide technical assistance on tobacco-free policy issues and to implement a tobacco prevention and control program, including an e-cigarette/vape/Juul educational program.

The following free resources are available to your school and community partners to address the surging use of e-cigarettes/vaping devices among youth.

Implement Curricula

CATCH My Breath™ is an evidence-based tobacco use prevention curriculum that addresses middle and high schoolers' use of e-cigarettes and meets national and state educational standards. The curriculum is available free of charge to NC schools. Find other free and effective options in this resource list (PDF)

We do not recommend tobacco prevention and cessation programs being promoted by or funded by tobacco or e-cigarette companies. Many past studies have shown such programs are ineffective, at best.

For more information visit the N.C. Tobacco Free Schools webpage.

If you use e-cigarettes or vaping products:

• Anyone who uses an e-cigarette or vaping product should not buy these products (e.g., e-cigarette or vaping products with THC, other cannabinoids) off the street, and should not modify or add any substances to these products that are not intended by the manufacturer.
• See a healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms like those reported in this outbreak.

If you are an adult who uses e-cigarettes because you have quit cigarette smoking:

• Do not return to smoking cigarettes.
• If you continue to use e-cigarettes, carefully monitor yourself for symptoms and see a healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms like those reported in this outbreak.

If you are an adult who is trying to quit smoking:

• Contact your healthcare provider if you need help quitting tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
• Use evidence-based treatments, including counseling and FDA-approved medications.

If you are concerned about your health after using an e-cigarette product, contact your healthcare provider, or you can also call your local poison control center at 800-222-1222.

CDC and FDA encourage the public to submit detailed reports of any unexpected health or product issues related to tobacco or e-cigarette products to the FDA via the online Safety Reporting Portal.

Source: CDC

Click on the image to view a list of youth-centered programs and resources (PDF).

Information

1. Report cases of severe pulmonary disease of unclear etiology and a history of e-cigarette or vaping product use within the past 90 days to your state or local health department. Reporting cases may help CDC and state health departments determine the cause or causes of these pulmonary illnesses.
2. Ask all patients who report e-cigarette or vaping product use within the last 90 days about signs and symptoms of pulmonary illness.
3. If e-cigarette or vaping product use is suspected as a possible etiology of a patient's severe pulmonary disease, obtain detailed history regarding Substance(s) used: nicotine, cannabinoids (e.g., marijuana, THC, THC concentrates, CBD, CBD oil, synthetic cannabinoids [e.g., K2 or spice], hash oil, Dank vapes), flavors, or other substances - Substance source(s): commercially available liquids (i.e., bottles, cartridges, or pods), homemade liquids, and re-use of old cartridges or pods with homemade or commercially bought liquids - Device(s) used: manufacturer; brand name; product name; model; serial number of the product, device, or e-liquid; if the device can be customized by the user; and any product modifications by the user (e.g., exposure of the atomizer or heating coil) - Where the product(s) were purchased - Method of substance use: aerosolization, dabbing, or dripping - Other potential cases: sharing e-cigarette products (devices, liquids, refill pods, or cartridges) with others
4. Determine if any remaining products, including devices and liquids, are available for testing. Testing can be coordinated with the local or state health departments.
5. Consider all possible causes of illness in patients reporting respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and of e-cigarette product use. Evaluate and treat for other possible causes of illness (e.g., infectious, rheumatologic, neoplastic) as clinically indicated. Consider consultation with specialists (pulmonary, infectious disease, critical care, medical toxicology) as appropriate.
6. Clinical improvement in patients with severe pulmonary disease associated with e-cigarette use has been reported with the use of corticosteroids. The decision to use corticosteroids should be made on a case-by-case basis based on risks and benefits and the likelihood of other etiologies.
7. Lipoid pneumonia associated with inhalation of lipids in aerosols generated by e-cigarettes has been reported based on the detection of lipid-laden alveolar macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lipid staining (e.g., oil red O). The decision about whether to perform a BAL should be based on individual clinical circumstances.
8. Lung biopsies have been performed on some patients. If a lung biopsy is obtained, lipid staining may be considered during pathologic examination and is best performed on fresh tissue. Routine pathology tissue processing (including formalin fixation and paraffin embedding) can remove lipids. Conducting routine tissue processing and histopathologic evaluation is still important. Consider consultation with specialists in pulmonary medicine and pathology to help inform any evaluation plan.
9. Patients who have received treatment for severe pulmonary disease related to an e-cigarette or vaping product use should undergo follow-up evaluation as clinically indicated to monitor pulmonary function.

Source: CDC