By Lacoadia Burkes, Acting Bureau Chief, Tobacco Free Florida
(NAPSI)—As Florida students sharpen their pencils and pack their backpacks to kickstart a new year and spring semester I’m asking the adults in their lives to prepare for something equally important—discussing how to stay tobacco free in an ever-changing landscape of nicotine products.
First, the good news. The message to make healthy life choices is connecting. According to the 2024 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, just 1% of students ages 11 to 17 currently smokes cigarettes. We’ve also seen youth e-cigarette use drop, to just 7.4%. These numbers are the result of years of dedication from parents, teachers, school health professionals, and caregivers.
But as kids return from winter break, this semester could bring new challenges and temptations. Know that the products reaching them are evolving faster than ever.
What’s new…
Today’s students face a bewildering array of products that didn’t exist even a few years ago. Disposable e-cigarettes flood the market in appealing flavors. Another concern is the introduction of so-called “smart vapes,” which feature built-in games and apps—turning addiction into entertainment.
Many of these devices are designed to look like everyday items: USB drives, pens, or even inhalers. They’re made to be discreet, making them harder for adults to spot and easier for young people to hide.
Another emerging category is oral nicotine pouches, which often promote being “tobacco free” nicotine. These are also popular because they are easily concealed and are sometimes promoted and encouraged across social media.
What you can do…
Whether you’re a carpooling parent, a teacher packing up the holiday decorations in the classroom, a coach gearing up for spring sports, or a caregiver managing after-school activities, you have the power to make a difference. But first, you need the right information.
TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/NewNicotineGeneration offers resources through our New Nicotine Generation initiative, providing practical information about these emerging products and how to talk about them with youth and young adults.
For faculty and staff, please check out the Florida Tobacco Prevention Program, available at FLTobaccoPrevention.org. This free resource offers courses specifically designed for educators, school staff, and nurses. The evidence-based training modules help school professionals:
•Recognize new tobacco and nicotine products
•Understand current youth usage trends and marketing tactics
•Learn effective intervention strategies that actually work
•Earn continuing education credits and professional development hours
For school nurses, our TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/ChampionsAgainstNicotine initiative offers resources with important information on how to identify emerging products and actions that can be taken to support your students.
How to make the most of this time…
Returning to the classroom following winter break naturally creates openings for important discussions. Here are some ways to make them meaningful:
- Start naturally. Use everyday moments—passing a convenience store, seeing an ad, or noticing someone vaping—as conversation starters. These can spark a discussion (not a lecture). Ask what they think, what they know, and be ready to listen and share.
- Focus on facts, not fear. Young people respond better to honest information than to scare tactics. Share what you’ve learned about how these products work and why the tobacco industry targets youth.
- Keep it ongoing. One conversation isn’t enough. Make tobacco prevention part of regular check-ins, just like homework or friendships.
- Team up. Coordinate with other adults in your child’s life. When teachers, coaches, health care providers, and family members share consistent messages, it reinforces the importance of staying tobacco free.
A Moment of Opportunity
Here is something that might surprise you: Research shows that nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily started by age 18. This means the conversations we have now—during these formative school years—can literally shape a lifetime of health decisions. Even a quick supporting word during these times can make a lasting difference.
Together we can pass the test and save a life
We’ve come so far in protecting Florida’s youth from tobacco and nicotine addiction. The dramatic drops in cigarette and e-cigarette use prove that education, support, and open communication work. But with the tobacco industry constantly innovating new ways to hook young users, we must stay informed and engaged.
As students across Florida head back to class for another semester, let’s use this transition time as an opportunity to strengthen our prevention efforts. The tools are there. Support is available. Most importantly, the young people in our lives are listening. Let’s make sure we’re giving them the information and encouragement they need to stay tobacco free for life.
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"Today’s students face a bewildering array of tobacco products that didn’t exist even a few years ago, says Lacoadia Burkes, Acting Bureau Chief, Tobacco Free Florida."
