Searching for anecdotal evidence of e-cigarettes among youth in Sacramento region

Some times no news is news.

Mention e-Cigarettes to teachers in the Roseville and Granite Bay areas of Placer County and there does not thus far appear to be any anecdotal evidence of children using e-cigarettes.

The research done by the Coalition for Placer Youth (CPY) over the past 18 months confirms that e-cigarettes have not been high on the radar among youth in Placer County.

According to Kathie Sinor, Health Instructor for Granite Bay High School, who also chairs the Rx Abuse Prevention Committee for CPY, “The prevailing trend is prescription and over the counter drug abuse by teens, and it is escalating.” To date, Sinor does not have any indications that e-cigarettes have surfaced within her student population.

The same holds true for the principal of Cavitt Junior High School, Jennifer Platt and Rebecca Parmesano, a teacher at Olympus Junior High School, both in Placer County. “I have not had any students mention the e-cigarettes and I haven’t overheard any talk of them either,” said Platt.

Dr. Glenna Trochet, M.D., is the Medical Officer for the Sacramento County Department of Health. According to Trochet, there is concern that e-cigarettes can increase nicotine addiction among young people and may lead kids to try other tobacco products.

Trochet wants parents to know that these nicotine products can legally be sold to your child, they are easily purchased on-line or at tobacco shops, and nicotine cartridge flavors like strawberry and chocolate may especially appeal to children.

While anecdotal evidence thus far does not seem to indicate that youth communities have adopted this product, legislation is being introduced by State Senator Ellen Corbett of San Leandro, which would make it illegal to sell e-cigarettes to minors.

Parent Resources:

• Banana Moments
  
• PluggedInParent
  
• Full Circle Treatment
  
• Recovery Happens
  
• Coalition for Placer Youth (CPY)Recently awarded a federal grant of $625,000 to form a non-profit and execute a five year strategic plan and as of the writing of this report, the website is still under construction http://coalitionforplaceryouth.org. For more information contact: Shari Crow  - SCrow@placer.ca.gov

  (Ref: 246-e)