SAN ANGELO, Texas — According to a recent study, approximately 2.55 million middle and high school students reported using a tobacco product in the past year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said e-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. youth.
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for the Concho Valley held its annual educational tobacco presentation at the San Angelo YMCA Monday.
“We show them a pig-long presentation so we’ll show them a good lung vs. a bad lung and then we provide them education on what type of chemicals are in cigarettes, how that affects our lungs and our breathing,” ADACCV CCP Director Jennifer Flores, said.
The 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey showed approximately 76 percent of students in the past year reported exposure to tobacco product marketing through traditional media. About 74 percent of students who used social media saw e-cigarette-related posts.
Flores said it’s important to talk to children early on to educate them about the dangers of smoking.
“We like to go and educate as young as possible because we know their watching tv they are seeing those ads or just walking around we see people with vapes, we see people smoking traditional cigarettes and so whether they aren't getting that kind of education from their family and loved ones that's why it’s good for prevention to come out and just spark that education that they can know they can ask questions and feel comfortable to ask,” Flores said.
ADACCV CCP Coordinator, Chesney Stephens, said it's important for parents to begin talking to their children about the dangers of smoking.
“Don't be afraid to talk to your child, it is so important to have these conversations as early as possible,” Stephens said.
For more information on methods of prevention visit adaccv.org