Overton ADC Cracks Down on Teen Smoking, Vaping

The Overton County Anti-Drug Coalition is cracking down on teen smoking and vaping in the area.

Executive Director Tasha Mackie says the coalition tries to inform students across the county on the dangers of smoking.

“That’s where a lot of our main focus is, is in the high schools to get the kids before they become of age,” Mackie says. “There’s not a whole lot we can do with adults. Yes, we would like for them to know the dangers of it as I am a former smoker myself. So I would love for the adults to know the dangers of it, but our hearts and our job is with the kids.”

The National Cancer Institute states about 14 percent of American adults smoked to some extent in 2017, down from nearly 16 percent the year before.

Mackie says despite the decrease, educating teens about the potential risks will help further reduce those numbers, especially when it comes to vaping.

“Vaping is probably going to be worse because one (Juul) pod is equivalent to about one pack of cigarettes, and some of these kids are smoking one, two, or three pods a day,” Mackie says. “If they’re smoking cigarettes, they’re not going to have a two or three pack-a-day habit. So I’m already seeing it’s worse than cigarettes.”

Mackie says the recent trend of vaping and the presence of companies such as Juul have impacted teens more than they realize.

“It is horrible. I can’t stress enough how bad of a thing it is and I hope and wish the parents check them,” Mackie says. “The Juul looks like a port or a flash drive. It looks like a common school item that would just be laying around.”

Mackie encourages high school students to stop smoking after seeing what it did to herself and her father.

“My father actually has COPD and it’s a struggle watching him, he’s pretty sick,” Mackie says. “I feel better. I don’t want my kids to see me that sick and it’s real. He smoked his whole life. Just do it, I don’t know how else to say it. You will feel better, I promise. I feel so much better since I quit.”

Mackie says the coalition will be present during Livingston’s Christmas in the Country to inform the public on the potential risks of smoking.

Juul announced Tuesday it would eliminate its social media presence and fruit-flavored vape liquids from retail stores. The decision was made roughly one month after the Food and Drug Administration launched an investigation into the company’s marketing strategies and overall impact.