Bailey Brooks, Pine High School student, talks about new trends with e-cigarettes, including vaping and juuling. Rates of e-cigarette use are high among youth, and there is little known about the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes. Nicotine use exposure during adolescence and young adulthood can cause addiction and harm the developing brain. Most disturbing is the trend that we are seeing in Washington Parish with past 30-day use of electronic cigarettes by students increasing in grades 8, 10, and 12, as evidenced by the Louisiana Caring Communities Youth Survey. Students in 8th grade increased use from 11.1% in 2016 to 20.5% in 2018; 10th grade use increased from 15.7% to 24.4%; and 12th grade use increased from 14.9% to 25.2%. Nicotine exposure during adolescence and young adulthood can cause addiction and harm the developing brain. The Washington Parish Youth Coalition Against Drugs encourages youth to avoid any kind of nicotine product, including e-cigarettes. 

Lily Crain, Pine High School student, leads a discussion on second-hand smoke with youth. Exposure to secondhand smoke is a known health hazard for both children and adults. With more than 1 billion smokers worldwide, many nonsmokers are exposed to second-hand smoke, about two thirds of whom are children and adolescents. Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard causing more than 600,000 deaths per year. It can cause or make worse a wide range of damaging health effects in children and adults, including lung cancer, respiratory infections and asthma. The Washington Parish Youth Coalition Against Drugs promotes a smoke-free environment for everyone.

Tyriah Davis, Varnado High School student, presents information on the harmful effects of tobacco on the body. Smoking can lead to cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis. Tobacco companies spend more than a million dollars an hour in this country alone to market their products. The more young people are exposed to cigarette advertising and promotional activities, the more likely they are to smoke. Washington Parish Youth Coalition Against Drugs strives to educate our young people about the dangers from tobacco use.