Langston Hughes Middle School PTA received a grant from National PTA, made possible by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids! We are using the funds to promote tobacco and e-cigarette prevention. Check out the amazing projects by the LHMS students and take a look at Student and Parent resources we have compiled to help our Panthers Escape the Vape!​

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VAPING 101

What is vaping?
The technical name is electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), which is an umbrella term that encompasses vape pens, pods, tanks, mods, and electronic cigarettes. These devices are designed to simulate cigarette smoking using aerosolized vapor instead of smoke. They use a heating element that vaporizes a liquid (propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine, and flavorings), allowing the user to inhale it. Over 2.5 million children and teens use e-cigarettes, and the links to debilitating diseases and deaths is becoming a serious public health concern. 

How is it dangerous?
Many people think of vaping as a "healthy alternative" to smoking, which is very misguided. It may not be AS bad for you as smoking, but it's still pretty bad for you!  E-cigarette aerosol can contain other chemicals like formaldehyde and metal particles such as nickel, lead, chromium, tin, and aluminum. 85% of children and teens reportedly use flavored products, which contain unregulated chemical flavorings, such as diacetyl, which are linked to serious lung disease. Breathing in e-cigarette aerosol delivers these toxins directly to your lungs. The oil from the liquid lingers in a coating on lungs and can cause some serious damage!

What's the worst vaping can do to me?
For starters, vaping products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, so what begins as a habit can develop into serious nicotine addiction. 

• More than 30% of teens who start using e-cigarettes begin smoking traditional tobacco products within six months. 
• There have been 2,807 hospitalized cases of serious lung injury associated with vaping products, resulting in  68 deaths  as of February 2020.
• Nearly 5,000 children younger than 5 received emergency room treatment for e-liquid nicotine exposure between 2013 and 2017.
• A recent study on mice found that 22.5% of subjects exposed to “e-cigarette smoke” for 54 weeks had developed lung adenocarcinomas and 57.5% had developed bladder urothelial hyperplasia.

​Why would anyone want to vape??
That's a valid question... Most middle schoolers say they vape because their friends do - to feel cool and fit in. The NIH wanted to find out the reasons, so they conducted a survey, to ask. Here are the reasons teens reported vaping:

• to see what it’s like (60.9%)
• because they like how it tastes (41.7%)
• as a social activity (37.9%)
• to relax (37.4%) 
• to feel good or get high (29.0%)
• they’re bored (28.7%)
• because they think it looks cool (15.2%)
• they have an addiction (8.1%) 
• to help quit regular cigarettes (6.1%)

​What if another kid offers me a hit of their vape?
Here are 3 easy ways to handle the pressure—and stay safe.

• Say "No, thanks," or "Nah, that's not my thing."
• Make a joke or change the topic.
• Say you're supposed to be somewhere and walk away. ​

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7TH GRADE STUDENT PROJECTS - SPRING 2023

In Health class, the 7th graders were tasked with making anti-vaping and anti-tobacco campaign videos. Check out some of the top videos our students created!

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8TH GRADE STUDENT PROJECTS - SPRING 2023

The 8th graders made their own anti-vaping and anti-tobacco campaign posters in Health class. Check out the posters that got the most votes!

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RESOURCES

FCPS Anti-Vaping Campaign
​FCPS Students Talk About Vaping
Truth Initiative
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