Extinguishing the Tobacco Epidemic in South Dakota!

By Charlotte Hofer

“In South Dakota, 1 in 4 high schoolers and 1 in 16 middle schoolers reported using e-cigarettes regularly, in a 2019 survey,” said Mindy Heuer, RN, and Program Manager for the Tobacco Disparities Grant at the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care (SDFMC).  “The CDC reports that in 2019, 29% of South Dakota high school youth reported using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.  Among South Dakota high school students, 12% reported smoking cigarettes.” 

Despite all the science that shows the dangers of smoking, many South Dakota youth are still choosing to use tobacco.  Cigarette companies know this, so they specifically target youth. 

The SDFMC is working to address this issue.  They were recently awarded a new Tobacco Prevention grant by the SD Department of Health, which continues their work to make youth aware of the dangers of tobacco. 

“Vaping is a huge concern for our teens and young adults in South Dakota,” said Heuer.   “So last year SDFMC worked with Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) chapters to get youth involved in an anti-vaping campaign.  We held a hashtag contest, and the HOSA Chapter in Huron won with, #BeTuffDon’tPuff.  It was a great way to get kids involved.”  

“This year, we are again doing something unique – we want to work with the school Fine-Arts programs with the one-act plays; put their creativity into developing a video!  To my knowledge, that hasn’t been done before.  We will reach out to various drama teams, and the students will come up with a winning hashtag and develop a video based on that,” said Heuer.  “It’s youth creating messages for youth.”  

As a parent, how can you tell if your child is vaping? What are warning signs? Vaping dries out your mucous membranes, so increased thirst is one sign.  Excessive craving of salty and spicy foods can be another sign.  Sores in the mouth, unexplained cough. Unexplained scent of a sweet smell on them from the vaping. – Mindy Heuer