K 218: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2025, as Vaping Awareness Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 218 BY: M. of A. Solages MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2025, as Vaping Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in participating in months designated to raise awareness of important issues; and WHEREAS, March 2025 will be observed as Vaping Awareness Month to create awareness around the dangers of vaping and electronic cigarette products, especially due to the fact that youth and young adults are the primary users of e-cigarettes, a majority of which contain the highly addictive chemical nicotine; and WHEREAS, Almost all adults addicted to nicotine started smoking or using other tobacco products in their teens, and nearly 9 out of 10 adult smokers started smoking by age 18; and WHEREAS, E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product by high school students in New York State, and more than one in five high school students reported vaping nicotine in 2020; and WHEREAS, Nicotine can harm the developing brain of adolescents and young adults, which can lead to lower impulse control and mood disorders, disrupt attention and learning among youth and young adults, and increase the risk for future addiction to other drugs; and WHEREAS, The cigarette smoking rate among high school students has declined 91% since 2000, but the high rate of e-cigarette use among youth makes the rate of any tobacco product use similar to that in 2002; and WHEREAS, Nicotine use can lead to addiction which, when use is not maintained, can result in temporary symptoms of withdrawal, including, but not limited to, irritability, restlessness, anxiety or depression, and trouble sleeping; and WHEREAS, People may keep using tobacco products to help relieve these symptoms, specifically youth trying to deal with stress or anxiety, creating a cycle of nicotine dependence; and WHEREAS, About two-thirds of youth in the U.S. who use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, report wanting to quit and trying to quit; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2025, as Vaping Awareness Month in the State of New York, and to urge its citizens to educate themselves about the dangers of vaping and e-cigarette products, and the need for more conversations with youth surrounding vaping and nicotine addiction, early detection methods, effective treatments, and prevention programs; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.