Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1175948
e-cigarette companies. Altria, the company behind Marlboro cigarettes in the United States, spent $12.8 billion in 2018 to purchase a 35 percent minority stake in Juul Labs. (Recently, Altria introduced a new product that heats rather than burns tobacco; it claims to give users a nicotine rush with fewer toxins.) E d u c at i n g s t u d e n t s Michelle Patterson, a science teacher at San Ysidro Middle School, which overlooks Tijuana, is present- ing a slide show to her eighth grade class of primarily Latino students. The slides are of advertisements showing happy, attractive young people vaping candy, dessert and fruit flavors — even chamoy, a sweet and salty Mexican condiment. Her students know that these ads, which they see on YouTube and other websites and in stores, are aimed directly at them. "ese kids are ripe for advertising, so it's important to teach them early," says Patterson. "Last year, a fifth grader brought a vaping device to school with flavored nicotine." The San Ysidro Education Association member asks students what these messages imply, and they tell her that it makes vaping look fun and healthy. " D o y o u c on si d er th e s e a d s to b e a reli ab l e source of information?" asks Patterson. "Do the ads show you what's really in the product? Does it show you how vaping could affect your heart, lungs and brain? Does it show you that your tongue could turn black and that it could affect how you learn and remember things?" No, say the students in unison. "Marketers don't care about health risks," says a student. "I think they only care about sales." A s h er science project, student Abigai l Jauregui O N O C T O B E R 1, the Centers for Dis- ease Control and Prevention reported 1,080 lung injuries in people in 48 states and the Virgin Islands who vaped nicotine- or THC- related prod- ucts. As we went to press, at least 23 deaths had been tied to vaping. Investigation into the cause of the illnesses is ongoing. The majority (578) of those injured used devices with THC, and while the Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers to stop using THC vaping products, nicotine has not been ruled out as a cause. The CDC reported that most cases have involved young peo- ple in their late teens and 20s, and recommended that people stop using vaping products. Those who continue to do so should be aware of symp- toms such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea and vom- iting — and promptly seek medical attention for any health concerns. Vaping's Victims Abigail Jauregui's survey of her fellow students showed that many were unaware of vaping's dangers. Above, Michelle Patterson shows vaping ads to her class. 29 O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 019 "I TELL STUDENTS THAT WHEN SOMETHING NEW COMES ABOUT THAT LOOKS FUN AND FANTASTIC, THEY NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS AND RELY ON REAL INFORMATION INSTEAD OF WHAT THEIR FRIENDS SAY." — Michelle Patterson, San Ysidro Education Association Diana Abasta