Canada has one of the highest vaping rates in the world among teens and young adults. A ground-breaking initiative from the Lung Health Foundation, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Education, is tackling the pervasive issue of youth vaping head-on through a multi-pronged youth smoking cessation program called Quash. This education, awareness, and behavioural modification program was launched, just ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2024, as a pilot initiative with six Ontario school boards, representing 100+ Ontario High Schools, with the goal of putting a dent in the escalating vaping crisis among Canadian teens. Quash offers a real-world solution to smoking and vaping through a judgement-free action plan with tools for parents, teachers, and students to proactively combat the vaping crisis and the potential issue of nicotine addiction often associated with vaping. Quash combines a cutting-edge mobile app with comprehensive adult facilitator training. It empowers users to identify and overcome triggers, rewards progress towards quitting, and ultimately helps teens regain control over addictive vaping habits, prioritizing their health and well- being. By addressing the issue of youth smoking and vaping head-on, the Ministry of Education and the Lung Health Foundation are taking a proactive step towards empowering the next generation to make informed choices and lead healthier lives. Plans exist to further roll out the program into more Ontario high schools and then into schools in additional provinces throughout Canada.
20
previous post