World No Tobacco Day is Saturday, May 31. However, you can make every day tobacco-free with the help of Stephanie Korynta, RiverView Health’s tobacco treatment specialist. Korynta works with individuals of all ages, including children and teenagers, who want to quit using tobacco, whether it’s smokeless tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, or vaping.
This year’s May 31 event, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to raise awareness about the tobacco industry’s influence and manipulative marketing tactics, particularly those targeting adolescents. These tactics often include enticing flavors like bubble gum, cotton candy, gummy bears, Kool-Aid, and Jolly Ranchers. According to the WHO, an estimated 37 million 13 to 16-year-olds worldwide use tobacco. In many countries, the rate of e-cigarette use among young people exceeds that of adults. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can:
–Harm brain development, which continues until about age 25
–Impact learning, memory, and attention
-Increase the risk of future addiction to other drugs
– Affect mental health and has been associated with symptoms of depression
In addition to nicotine, the aerosol that users inhale and exhale from e-cigarettes exposes both users and bystanders to other harmful substances, including heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deeply into the lungs.
If you or your child wants to live a healthier, tobacco-free life, Korynta offers in-office and telehealth visits. She will design an individualized quit plan that includes tips and tools for motivation, a quit kit with information and tobacco replacement options to curb cravings, and follow-up care to assess progress and make any necessary adjustments.
For more information on tobacco cessation services at RiverView Health, call Rehab Services at 281.9463. Most insurance companies cover up to four sessions with a tobacco treatment specialist.
