Vaping Increases Teen Coronavirus Risks; Town Spreads Awareness

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — After a new study indicated that teens who vape are five to seven times more likely to contract the coronavirus, Southampton Town officials are taking action to raise awareness.

The study, which includes data collected in May by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine, indicates that teens who vaped were more likely to be infected than those who did not use e-cigarettes, because of damage done to their lungs.

To that end, Southampton Town's youth bureau, in conjunction with the town's youth board, has launched a new website that helps young people and parents understand the risks of vaping, including current information and resources to help quit; the town is also spreading the message out through social media.

“We needed to find a way to get kids the information so they would understand the risks, and hopefully, prevent them from starting vaping. Or if they’re already vaping, help them to quit,” said Southampton Town Councilwoman Julie Lofstad, liaison to the youth bureau. “I’m hopeful that through the website and social media, we’ll be able to get the information out there to those who need it most, the kids and their parents.”

In addition, the youth bureau recently reached out to the schools in the area to encourage them to post and tag the Southampton Youth Bureau on Instagram @southamptonyb and Facebook with information and resources about vaping and other important information for the youth in our community.

The study, which was published online Aug. 11 in the Journal of Adolescent Health, is the first to examine connections between youth vaping and COVID-19 using U.S. population-based data collected during the pandemic.

Among young people who were tested for the virus that causes COVID-19, the research found that those who vaped were five to seven times more likely to be infected than those who did not use e-cigarettes.

"Teens and young adults need to know that if you use e-cigarettes, you are likely at immediate risk of COVID-19 because you are damaging your lungs," said the study's senior author, Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, professor of pediatrics.

Shivani Mathur Gaiha, a postdoctoral scholar who led the study, said the increased risk is significant.