Those fun candy flavors are hiding toxic chemicals
Nov 07, 2024
HONOLULU (KHON2) -- The Hawaii Department of Health recently launched two new statewide tobacco prevention and cessation campaigns, designed to help our youth stay away from dangerous products. Jill Tamashiro, a Public Health Educator with the Tobacco Prevention and Control Section of the DOH joined Wake Up 2Day live on Thursday morning to share details.
"With the rise of vaping across the country and in Hawaiʻi, many young people are now becoming a part of a new generation of addicted tobacco users," Tamashiro said. "Escape the Vape Hawaii's "Toxic Remains" campaign targets teens in Hawaiʻi, aged 13-18, who are either thinking about using or are currently using vapes. The campaign aims to reveal the toxic chemicals behind the fun candy names and flavors, so they are informed about the serious health risks that vapes pose."
There are also resources for teens who are looking to quit.
"For Hawaii teens that would like to quit smoking or vaping, the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline offers a program called "My Life, My Quit Hawaii," which is a free program with trained coaches to help teens who want to quit smoking or vaping. Teens can sign up by calling 1-855-891-9989. Teens, parents, guardians, and health care providers can also visit www.MyLifeMyQuit.com for more information." Tamashiro said.
The other campaign that the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline is launching is targeted toward adults, called "Rough Day".
"This campaign speaks to those individuals who say they choose to smoke or vape to cope with stress or other mental health issues so much so that it has become a part of their regular routines. This campaign also demonstrates how the Hawai'i Tobacco Quitline is there to help those who vape or smoke, especially during those tense, stressful times during the day and can help individuals get through the rough moments, or that "rough day", without relying on nicotine." Tamashiro said.
For more information on Hawaii Tobacco Quitline, visit www.hawaiiquitline.org and follow Hawaii Tobacco Quitline on Facebook and Instagram at @hawaiiquitline. For more information on Escape The Vape Hawai'i, please visit www.EscapeTheVapeHI.comand follow Escape The Vape Hawai'i on Facebook and Instagram at @escapethevapehi.