RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live, Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Thursday, May 30, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss vaping prevention for youth in North Carolina as well as ways parents and caregivers can support their families.
Event participants include:
Jeydri Urbina, Communications Manager, NCDHHS
Rachael L. Joyner, DNP, APRN, Nurse Practitioner, Duke Smoking Cessation Program
Pablo Silva Ortiz, MS, LCAS, Substance Abuse Counselor, El Futuro
E-cigarettes — also known as vapes — are the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students in the United States. More than two million students currently use vapes and one in four of these students vape every day. The use of vapes has increased among Hispanic youth in recent years, which can lead to greater health risks and disparities for conditions like heart disease and cancer. However, most middle and high school students who vape want to quit and have tried to quit.
Fireside chat and tele-town hall panelists will discuss the following:
- Signs a child or teen may be vaping and how to help
- Ways parents and caregivers can talk to youth about vaping
- Resources to help prevent youth from vaping or help them quit
- How to access health information, services and care in Spanish
It’s important to talk to kids about vaping early, even before they are teens, as most tobacco use starts during youth. Resources are available across the state to help parents and caregivers navigate conversations with youth about vaping, access vaping prevention tips and guidance in Spanish, and find support for their family if a young person is vaping.
The Cafecito will stream live from the NCDHHS Facebook, Twitter (X) and YouTube accounts, where viewers can submit questions. The event also includes a tele-town hall, which invites people by phone to listen in and submit questions. People can also dial into the event by calling 855-756-7520 Ext. #106459.
