SDUSD Media Advisory: Vaping Press Conference

MEDIA ADVISORY


San Diego Unified Students Raise Awareness About Healthy Choices and Physical and Mental Health Risks of Vaping


October 21, 2024

WHAT: During a news conference, San Diego Unified students will announce a public awareness campaign to call attention to the importance of healthy choices, and the physical and mental health risks associated with vaping among teens. The announcement comes on the first day of Red Ribbon Week.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 23, 2024

TIME: 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Marston Middle School, 3799 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA 92117<https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=5adf55b70d15346bJmltdHM9MTcyOTAzNjgwMCZpZ3VpZD0yZTlhZTljZC00MjFiLTZmYWQtMzU0Yi1mOTFiNDNjZTZlMGQmaW5zaWQ9NTkyNg&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=2e9ae9cd-421b-6fad-354b-f91b43ce6e0d&u=a1L21hcHM_Jm1lcGk9MTI3fn5Vbmtub3dufkFkZHJlc3NfTGluayZ0eT0xOCZxPU1pZGRsZSUyMFNjaG9vbCZzcz15cGlkLllOODczeDE3NjMxODcxOTg1MjA4OTI5MTg2JnBwb2lzPTMyLjgwODMxNTI3NzA5OTYxXy0xMTcuMjAwNDkyODU4ODg2NzJfTWlkZGxlJTIwU2Nob29sX1lOODczeDE3NjMxODcxOTg1MjA4OTI5MTg2fiZjcD0zMi44MDgzMTV-LTExNy4yMDA0OTMmdj0yJnNWPTEmRk9STT1NUFNSUEw&ntb=1> in front of the Marston Arena off Ute Drive (see map below)

SPEAKERS: Speakers expected: Students, Interim Superintendent Fabiola Bagula, Board of Education Trustee Sabrina Bazzo; Student Trustees Quinton Baldis and Joseph Cruz; Salvador Garcia of the San Diego County Office of Education, American Heart Association San Diego Community Impact Director Chelsea Walczak Vircks.

BACKGROUND: San Diego Unified students will announce a PSA and poster contest to promote healthy choices, and raise awareness of the social-emotional and health risks associated with vaping among teens. The Board of Education will consider a resolution at its meeting on Oct. 22 to call attention to the dangers of vaping and the need to educate students on the importance of making healthy choices.

E-cigarette use among youth nationwide has dramatically increased to what the U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration have called "epidemic" levels. Teen nicotine use can impair parts of the brain that control attention and learning, as well as mood and impulse control A study by the American Heart Association found that nicotine-vapor use among people ages 13 to 24 increased the risk of developing depression and anxiety and can also intensify suicidal thoughts.

San Diego students will have the opportunity to help advocate for healthy choices among their peers through the student PSA and poster contest. San Diego Unified will continue its participation with the state-funded Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) in collaboration with the San Diego County Office of Education.

San Diego Unified was part of a multi-state lawsuit against JUUL Labs, Inc. for the company's role in cultivating and fostering an e-cigarette epidemic that disrupts the education and learning environment in schools nationwide. The settlement with JUUL will help support initiatives, including the new student-led engagement PSA and poster contest, to promote age-appropriate and research-based information about the dangers of using electronic vapor products and tobacco.

MEDIA CONTACT: Public Information Coordinator Mike Murad, (619) 925-4790, communications@sandi.net<mailto:communications@sandi.net>.


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Communications Office
4100 Normal Street
San Diego, CA 92103
O: 619-725-5578 | Email: communications@sandi.net<mailto:communications@sandi.net>
[1710956489974]