Faculty Lecture Series: New Face of Tobacco Nov. 14, 3-4

 

New Face of Tobacco: Young Adults and Electronic Smoking Devices

Wednesday, November 14, 3:00-4:00

In Room 2608

 

Speakers:

Inger Appanaitis, MPH    Program Manager SLO County Public Health Department

Ashley Allen, CHES           Health Education Specialist SLO County Public Health Department

 

A 1964 Surgeon General's report linked smoking cigarettes with dangerous health effects, including lung cancer and heart disease. Since then, tobacco companies have been increasingly motivated to market products labeled as "safer" than regular cigarettes, such as the "low-tar" and "light" cigarettes. Most recently, electronic smoking devices have been introduced in which a nicotine-containing liquid is aerosolized and inhaled (e.g. e-cigarettes, JUUL). These devices have become increasingly popular, leading FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb to declare their use an "epidemic" among youth and young adults.

• Learn what  the new smoking/vaping devices are and how the technology is evolving.
• Review trends in tobacco use across time with a focus on youth and young adults.
• Why are these new products so appealing to young adults and what are the potential health impacts on this new generation of smokers?
• Learn about local prevention and outreach efforts as Cuesta prepares to go 100% smoke and tobacco free.

Inger Appanaitis is the Program Manager for Tobacco Control at the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department. She earned her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Oregon Health & Science University and has been working in the field of noncommunicable diseases for the past five years. She specializes in addressing health disparities among diverse populations, including working on improving public health infrastructure in in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands and providing technical assistance on diabetes care and outcomes among urban American Indians.

 

Ashley Allen is a Certified Health Education Specialist, earning her Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a Health Education Option from Chico State University. At the County, Ashley focuses on tobacco use and prevention among young adults and overseas campus-related activities and policy development at both Cuesta College and Cal Poly. She also holds a special interest in tobacco's impacts on the environment, and other environmental issues including climate change.