E-cigarette use on the rise among Salinas youth

Kids here in California and all over the nation will unite against tobacco Wednesday as part of Kick Butts Day, a national campaign for tobacco-free kids. At the same time, there is one tobacco product that is on the rise here.

For the longest time, tobacco use was on a downward spiral especially in terms of cigarettes, but now as that use drops, vaping increases. This is not only a problem with youth around the nation, but also right here on the Central Coast .

“In the Salinas Union High School District we have seen that there is 18-percent of 9th graders, and 19-percent of 11th graders that have used e-cigarettes or a vaping device,” said Prevention Coordinator Jorge Rubio

Rubio said the rise in e-cigarettes is due to the colors and flavors that often appeal more to kids.
Today, he and others from the recovery center will hold a series of activities and join other health advocates in urging officials to do what they can to make the next generation tobacco-free. This is all part of kick-butt day.

“A lot of these activities are going to be educating youth about the dangers of tobacco use. This campaign is the leading force in reducing tobacco use and the deadly toll it has in the United States and around the world. Kick Butts Day empowers youth to stand out and speak up and seize control of big tobacco,” said Rubio.

Find activities for Kick Butts Day near you.