From: Elizabeth Patton
Columbus
Summer is coming to an end for Bartholomew County children and school will soon be back in session.
Along with a new school year comes new classes, new activities, and new friends. Your child will spend many of his or her waking hours away from the home and family, so it is a good idea to put safeguards in place to make sure your child is as safe as possible while they are growing and learning this school year.
You can help protect your child from tobacco product exposure by being aware of the dangers of secondhand smoke and by talking to your child about vaping.
Even if you and the rest of your family do not smoke, it’s good to be aware of the different environments your child is exposed to throughout the day, such as friends’ homes or public establishments where smoking is allowed.
Have an open conversation with your child about the dangers of secondhand smoke and encourage your child to ask others to not smoke in front of them.
Also, talk to your child about vaping. Let them know that the use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine and other harmful substances. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development.
Young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future. Let your child know it’s not worth the risk of harming your lungs or becoming addicted to nicotine.
If you’re a parent and you smoke, you can protect your family from secondhand smoke by implementing no-smoking rules in your own house or car. If you’re ready to quit smoking and live a healthier life, you can call for free help at 1-800-Quit-Now or visit QuitNowIndiana.com.
If you want help talking to your kids about vaping, go to the CDC.gov for more information.
