Anti-Vaping Education for Heart Health

The American Heart Association recently updated its Construct of Cardiovascular Health, the organization’s checklist to measure cardiovascular health. This new version, called Life’s Essential 8TM includes one addition (sleep – we’ll talk about that in another blog post!) and updates to several other health and lifestyle factors. One of these updates is cigarette smoking, which is now referred to as nicotine exposure. This category has been broadened to include e-cigarettes (vaping), and exposure to secondhand smoke. Vaping is a big concern, especially among youth. According to the CDC, e-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product among youth since 2014. Our Dangers of Vaping poster warns youth and adults about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes. Here are some teaching tips to go along with it:
  • For health professionals and health educators: this Healthcare Provider Conversation Card will help prepare you to talk to kids about vaping.
  • For parents: this tip sheet will help you discuss vaping with your children.
  • For everyone: watch this video from MD Anderson Cancer Center to learn the basics of vaping and e-cigarettes.
Hollis Bass, MEd, RD, LD