A new survey from the New York State Quitline reveals that 64% of healthcare professionals believe youth and young adults are facing a vaping epidemic, signaling growing concerns about nicotine addiction among younger generations.
The survey, conducted by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center for the NY Quitline, gathered responses from 2,562 licensed healthcare professionals across the state. The findings will be presented in a webinar on December 12, aiming to shed light on the challenges and opportunities for tackling youth vaping. Registration for the free webinar is available online at nysmokefree.com/newsroom.
Tony Astran, PR and communications manager for the NY Quitline, who will present the survey’s findings, emphasized that vaping presents a significant challenge for public health efforts.
“Although most Quitline participants tend to be 55 years of age or older who smoke traditional combustible cigarettes, the Quitline also offers support for those seeking to quit the use of electronic cigarettes,” Astran said. “Our latest survey results illustrated healthcare professionals’ concerns about a new generation of addiction to nontraditional tobacco products.”
The survey uncovered additional insights into the preferences of healthcare professionals regarding tobacco cessation resources and communication methods:
- Email is the top choice for receiving tobacco cessation information, with 70% of respondents preferring this method. This trend has remained consistent since 2018.
- Dentists stand apart from other professionals, expressing greater concern over cannabis use among youth and preferring direct mail for communications.
- Social workers and mental health professionals favor morning webinars, while physicians, dentists, and pharmacists prefer webinars held after 4 p.m.
- Lower awareness of NY Quitline services was noted in the greater New York City area, including Long Island and the Hudson Valley.
The NY Quitline offers resources for those looking to quit smoking or vaping, including free nicotine replacement therapy medications. Help is available by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) or visiting nysmokefree.com. Support is accessible through phone consultations, online chats, and a free texting program by texting QUITNOW to 333888 for English or DÉJELO YA NY for Spanish.
The findings underscore a broader effort to combat youth vaping as healthcare professionals face evolving trends in tobacco and nicotine use.
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