EP 032: Where there is SMOKE…there is Vaping (part 2) with guest Dr. Sara Dorison

This Girl brings back Dr. Sara Dorison, child neurologist, to give us an urgent update with regards to the vaping epidemic spreading life threatening illnesses and causing deaths.  Daisy asks practical questions to Dr. Dorison about what do you do when you find out your child is vaping? 

Dr. Dorison, who specializes in pediatric neurology, states that parents should not be naïve about vaping but encourages them to get informed and be proactive. The e-cigarette was first presented as a “safe alternative” but that has clearly proved otherwise. Vaping is surging among American adolescents. According to one national survey, 3.6 million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in 2018. Dr. Dorison shares astounding facts about the immediacy of the addiction due to its concentration; a juul vaping pod is equivalent to smoking a cigarette box (more than 20 cigarettes)– the high levels of concentrated nicotine makes it highly addictive.

Dr. Dorison stresses the importance of keeping your teens safe by having real honest and candid conversations with your kids as early as middle school. Yes! since they are 12 they know about vaping, it is all over the schools and the news. Dr. Dorison’s suggests to work on prevention, to test your kids for high levels of nicotine, and explain to them the real facts and concerns about vaping and addiction.  She reminds us "good kids are making bad decisions!"  Keep in mind that the vaping industry is not being regulated and the rising cases of serious illnesses is bring this industry into serious investigations.  For more information, you can also tune in to Episode 07 - part 1 on the Vaping Epidemic.

Some quick facts & resources:

FDA is investigating more than 215 cases of life-threatening illnesses The CDC – Center of Disease Control issued WARNING! to stop buying bootleg and street cannabis e-cigarette product The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a useful website onwhat the federal government currently knows about vaping and e-cigarettes. The Tobacco Prevention Toolkit, by researchers at Stanford, has a major unit on vaping and Juuls. It is not just for educators: Frequently updated, it has photos, charts and points of discussion that may help you engage your teenager. Nicotine Test Kit: https://www.amazon.com/PrimeScreen-Pack-Nicotine-Tobacco-WCOT-114/dp/B07CZRMQ6F/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=nicotine+test&qid=1570637595&sr=8-4

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For More details about This Girl podcast, visit Daisy Blanchard on instagram @pocketfulofdaisy or website: http://www.pocketfulofdaisy.com