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EDMONTON ¡ª May 31 is World No Tobacco Day, a yearly World Health Organization initiative to raise awareness about the harms of commercial tobacco.

Nicotine is addictive. Young people who use products that contain nicotine might:

• Find it difficult to learn, concentrate and remember things in the short and long term.
• Feel worsening symptoms of anxiety, depression or stress.
• Increase their risk of chronic lung disease and damage.
• Experience burns or injuries due to exploding vaping devices.

Â鶹ӳ»­ (AHS) partners with youth, youth coalitions, parents and other youth allies (such as teachers) to spread awareness about the harms of commercial tobacco and other nicotine-containing products and to spread awareness. If you are a teacher or educator and want to learn more about tobacco and vaping prevention, check out the Grade K-12 Toolkits:

• Grades K-3: Be Tobacco Smart booklet about tobacco litter, and harm on health and the environment.
• Grades 4-6: online game to promote engaged thinkers and ethical citizens on tobacco prevention.
• Grades 7-9: online game for problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, self-concept and coping skills for young people, and  for vaping questions and facts.

If you are a parent or caregiver concerned about your teen¡¯s use of commercial tobacco products:

• has answers to common vaping questions and facts.
• Look for who work on peer education and advocacy projects to raise awareness around tobacco and other nicotine-containing products.
• Visit for upcoming webinars on vaping and youth.
• Get involved in to increase awareness about and provide opportunities to reduce tobacco use in your community.
• Talk to your teen¡¯s healthcare provider or pharmacist for support and recommendations.
• Call the Addiction Helpline, 1-866-332-2322, available 24/7, or Health Link at 811.

Nicotine poisoning is a risk for . They might ingest vaping solutions or cigarette butts by accident, or misuse products that contain nicotine. If you¡¯re concerned about nicotine poisoning, call 1-800-332-1414 to reach the Poison & Drug Information Service (PADIS). In an emergency, call 911.

Â鶹ӳ»­ is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services to more than four million adults and children living in Â鶹ӳ»­. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Â鶹ӳ»­ns. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.