Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. In Tennessee, 11,400 adults die from a smoking related illness each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In Nashville, 21% of residents smoke, almost twice the national average. Cigarette use is decreasing, but e-cigarette/vaping usage is on the rise, especially in teens and young adults.
Vaping among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders has more than doubled since 2017 with more than 1 in 9 high school seniors reporting vaping nicotine on a near-daily basis, according to Truth Initiative. E-cigarettes resemble pens, USB drives, and other everyday items. E-cigarette give off an aerosol, mistaken as “water vapor” that contains nicotine, ultrafine particles, flavoring linked to lung disease, heavy metals, and cancer-causing chemicals. In Davidson County, 25.3% of adult reported using vaping products, even once, based on the 2019 Community Health and Well-being Survey.
To quit vaping, text DITCHJUUL to 88709 for free support 24/7. Visit the Centers for Disease Control for more information about e-cigarettes and vaping.
The Tobacco Prevention Program aims to combat tobacco use and increase the number of smoke-free communities and workplaces in Davidson County.
Contact information
Danielle Duke, Tobacco Prevention Coordinator
615-340-5334