In this activity, you will discuss the trends in the use of e-cigarettes among the youth and adults in your region.

Step 1. Research [45 minutes]

Search for data or statistics within 2018-2022 that display the trends in the use of e-cigarettes among the youth and adults in your region. If there is no existing data for your region, select another region or country with available data. Ensure that the following indicators exist in the data gathered:

• Sociodemographic characteristics 
• Cigarette smoking status

Step 2. Analyze [ 30 minutes] 

Analyze the data and statistics. Consider the following points in your analysis:

• The trends and the variances in e-cigarette use in terms of sociodemographic characteristics
• Gender
• Age
• Income
• Type(s) of e-cigarettes devices is(are) the most widely used

Step 3. Discuss [180 minutes]

Prepare a 300-600 word analysis that covers and discusses the following questions:

• Which has a higher percentage of e-cigarette use: the male or female population?
• Which shows a more prevalent use of e-cigarettes: the youth or adults?
• Is there a gender difference in the use of e-cigarettes among the youth?
• What are some commonly cited reasons for e-cigarette use?
• Which type(s) of e-cigarettes devices is(are) the most widely used?
• What are the other factors accountable for the variation of trends in using e-cigarettes among the youth and adults?
• Is there a difference in the type of devices used by adults and by youth?

Step 4. Share [10 minutes]

To share your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work into the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 5: Evaluate [10 minutes]

Evaluate and categorize the work from one of your peers based on items A - E of the rubric below. Provide a rationale for the grade you have provided, as well as comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to the forum.” You can use the list below as an example: 

Item A is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item E is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….

OPTIONAL Step 6: Interact (10 minutes)

If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”

In this activity, you will raise awareness about the mechanisms of nicotine dependence related to vaping and its most prevalent health outcomes using Twitter. 

Step 1. Study (30 minutes)

Study the given scenario below

• Mechanisms of nicotine dependence
• Neuronal system in the brain
  
• Activity of dopaminergic system leading to craving and withdrawal effects
  
• Prevalent health outcomes of vape and e-cigarette use among the youth
• Impacts on the brain
• Lung injury
• Current status of the e-cigarette youth users

Step 3: Share (10 minutes)

To share your work, click on the “Reply” button under this post and paste your work into the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 4: Interact (10 minutes)

Evaluate and categorize the work from one of your peers based on items A - E of the rubric below. Provide a rationale for the grade you have provided, as well as comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:

Item A is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item E is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….

In this activity, you will select an existing policy on tobacco legislation and write a letter to propose a policy update.

Step 1. Research (30 minutes)

Search for existing policies on tobacco legislation in your locality. Select one policy that you think needs to be updated.

Step 2. Analyze (30 minutes)

Analyze the inclusions of the policy and reflect on how the policy can be updated so that it can also address strategies to mitigate the prevalent use of e-cigarettes and vaping among the youth and young adults.

Step 3. Respond (150 minutes)

Respond by writing a 250-400 word letter addressed to your locality’s representative legislator. Include in your letter the following:

• Reasons why the policy needs to be updated
• Is the policy being implemented as intended?
• Does the policy having the desired effect?
• Are the policies and procedures current and relevant?
• Proposed amendments to the policy to address the purpose
• People who will be involved, whether a beneficiary to or a benefactor of the policy

Step 4: Share (10 minutes)

To share your work, click on the “Reply” button under this post and paste your work into the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)

Evaluate and categorize the work from one of your peers based on items A - E of the rubric below. Provide a rationale for the grade you have provided, as well as comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:

Item A is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item E is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….

In this activity, you will examine the current debate on the efficacy and safety of vaping and e-cigarettes as aids for smoking cessation and write a post to discuss it. 

Step 1. Review (45 minutes)

Read all required readings for this lesson taking into account the following: 

• Evidence/Findings that support the use of e-cigarettes and vapes as aids for smoking cessation
• Evidence/Findings that refute the use of e-cigarettes and vapes as aids for smoking cessation

Step 2. Respond (180 minutes)

Imagine yourself as a healthcare provider in consultation dialogue with a heavy smoking patient. Suppose the patient asks you for recommendations if vaping is useful to help him stop smoking.

Respond by preparing a 300-600 word piece of writing to address this question by discussing two sides of the argument: evidence supporting and evidence refuting the efficacy and safety of vaping and e-cigarettes as aids for smoking cessation. Ensure that your response includes the following :

• Mechanisms of vaping and e-cigarettes for managing nicotine cravings
• Risks and benefits associated with the use of vapes and e-cigarettes as aids for smoking cessation
• Effectiveness of using e-cigarettes for quitting smoking compared to other cessation methods

Step 3: Share (10 minutes)

To share your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work into the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 4: Interact (10 minutes)

Evaluate the work from one of your peers. Provide comments or suggestions for improvement and your thoughts about the points that your peer has written. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “post to forum.”