Social influences play a big role in the use of e-cigarettes among youth. With the start of the new school year, students are at risk of being exposed to vaping flavored nicotine “juices” and to the oral use of nicotine pouches (e.g., “Zyn”) by their peers. Studies report that about a third of students get vapes from their friends. It is the most common reason that students experiment in middle school with vaping. Many students have also had products bought for them, or they find ways to buy products for themselves.

The Need to Understand the Role of Local Zoning Ordinances and “Smart Growth” Planning in South Carolina in regard to the recent proliferation of Commercial Tobacco Products Retail Sales Sites and the epidemic of Nicotine-Addiction in Our Underage Youth.

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a crucial time to shed light on the unique mental health challenges faced by racial and ethnic minorities, including American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.