Tobacco Prevention and Control

E-Cigarettes  

According to a 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey  18.2 % of North Dakota high school students reported that they currently use electronic vapor products. While these tobacco products no longer resemble a pack of combustible cigarettes, they still contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical that is harmful to youth brain development. 

Vaping  

Vaping is the term used to explain the action of a person using an e-cigarette. Similar to smoking, e-cigarettes produce an aerosol vapor that contains chemicals that are harmful to the body. A common factor that has made vaping appealing to youth are the variety of flavors offered. Currently, there are over 15,500 different flavored vapes on the tobacco market and most youth who first start vaping will use a flavored product.

There is often a misconception of vaping being a safer alternative to help quit smoking combustible cigarettes, but according to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) e-cigarettes are not listed as an official NRT treatment option.   

Cigars 

A cigar is defined as a roll of tobacco wrapped in lead tobacco or in a substance that contains tobacco. Cigars are often sold in three types in the United States; large cigars, cigarillos, and little cigars.  The difference between a cigar and a cigarette is that a cigar is wrapped in tobacco not paper. A single full-size cigar may contain almost as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. Secondhand smoke exposure at any level can be harmful for the healthy brain development of youth. Even if a person doesn’t directly inhale cigar smoke, large amounts of nicotine can be absorbed through the lining of the mouth.  

Many e-cigarette devices contain lithium-ion batteries that have been known to start fires in landfills and it’s important that these batteries are disposed of properly. Help keep your family and community safe, drop off your lithium-ion powered devices at a local disposal site near you! For more information, contact Susan Kahler, SAP Coordinator at 701.355.1597 or email skahler@bismarcknd.gov.

Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health offers FREE counseling services. For more information, contact Sue Kahler, NCTTS at 701-355-1597 or email: skahler@bismarcknd.gov

Free trainings offered by Tobacco Prevention and Control Program 

Additional Quitting Services

• My Life My Quit 
• Ex Program
• ND Quits