The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how parents and health care providers who work with young people can support youth tobacco cessation.
Event participants include:
- Kim Bayha, NCNTT, Tobacco Cessation Director, Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch, NCDHHS
- Brittany Feeling, MPH, CHES, CCMA, Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator, Mecklenburg County Public Health
- Bolu Abe-Lathan, PA-C, DHSc, Physician Assistant - Tobacco Cessation, Duke Health
In North Carolina, nearly 13% of high school students use electronic nicotine products. Many of the vape and pouches used contain high concentrations of nicotine, which is particularly harmful for developing brains. More than half of middle and high school students who vape want to quit and have tried to do so.
Fireside chat and tele-town hall panelists will discuss:
- How to help youth quit commercial tobacco/nicotine use, including through Nicotine Replacement Therapy
- Ways health care providers and parents can collaborate to support youth
- Where to find quitting resources for youth
Young people face many challenges when trying to quit tobacco and nicotine use, including addiction, social pressures, mental health concerns and barriers to care. Resources are available to support young people on their quitting journeys at QuitlineNC.dph.ncdhhs.gov/teens.
The fireside chat will stream live from the NCDHHS Facebook, X (Twitter) and YouTube accounts, where viewers can submit questions. The event also includes a tele-town hall, which invites people by phone to listen and submit questions. People can dial into the event by calling 855-756-7520 Ext. 134951#.