The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US Food & Drug
Administration (FDA), as well as state and local health departments are
investigating an outbreak of severe lung disease associated with e-cigarette
use. The CDC has identified more than 500 possible cases, including 16 cases in
New York City. While the investigation is ongoing, you should share
this information with your students, staff and families.
- Parent-facing fact sheet: Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ): e-cigarettes (available in all
DOE-supported languages on the Health
Forms and Notices InfoHub page; scroll to “Substance Abuse”).
- Youth-facing fact sheet: Teens
and Vaping: What Are the Risks?
- Youth-facing flyer: Drug
Myths & Facts (available in all DOE-supported languages
on the Health
Forms and Notices InfoHub page; scroll to “Substance Abuse”).
- NYC Health department website:
E-cigarettes
Health Bulletin (available in multiple languages).
- FDA e-cigarette posters: Chemicals in Vaping: Nickel; Chemicals in Vaping: Lead; Chemicals in Vaping: Formaldehyde; Chemicals in Vaping: Nicotine; and Chemicals in Vaping: Chromium (available to download or order copies for free).
You
can order copies of the “E-cigarettes Health Bulletin” and the “Teens and Vaping”
fact sheet for your school by calling 311. Tobacco and other drug-use
prevention is a key component of comprehensive health education lessons
required by the New York State Education Department in elementary, middle and
high school. This instruction provides students with knowledge and skills that
can change behaviors around tobacco and other drug use. Use and possession of
e-cigarettes are prohibited according to the DOE
discipline code. Please review additional
information and resources on local e-cigarette
policies, health, and safety.
If
your school is approached by e-cigarette
industry-sponsored prevention programs, such as
prevention programs from JUUL, you should not accept these offers. The CDC and
DOHMH have warned that tobacco industry-sponsored school-based prevention
programs are ineffective and may even promote tobacco use among youth.
For questions or additional information on DOE tobacco policies, please reach out to your health director. For questions and guidance on DOE-recommended curricula, professional learning opportunities and instructional support for health education, email healthedworks@schools.nyc.gov