Secondhand smoke poses serious health risks to both children and adults, and there is no safe level of exposure. The home remains the leading source of secondhand smoke exposure, especially for children. To protect your loved ones, make your home and car completely smoke-free, and encourage family members who smoke to seek help quitting. Smoking […]
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As cannabis use becomes increasingly common and widely discussed across the United States, it’s crucial to understand its health impacts, especially among youth and vulnerable populations. Cannabis remains the most widely used federally illegal drug, with over 52 million Americans reporting use in 2021. Of concern, about 3 in 10 cannabis users may develop cannabis use disorder, and
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Preventing youth violence begins with understanding that no single cause leads a young person to commit or experience violence. Instead, it’s a mix of individual, relationship, community, and societal influences. Risk factors—such as exposure to violence at home, poor academic performance, or associating with delinquent peers—can increase the chances of violent behavior. On the other
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Cigars—once seen as a niche luxury—are now aggressively marketed to youth, women, and communities of color through flavored products, low prices, and targeted advertising. The tobacco industry has designed and promoted cigars using flavors like cherry and vanilla to mask harsh tobacco, making them appealing to first-time users. From 2009 to 2020, cigar sales rose
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Despite popular belief, smoking cannabis is not a safer alternative to tobacco—it still poses serious risks to your lung health. Whether it’s through joints, bongs, blunts, or bowls, cannabis smoke contains many of the same harmful toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke. These substances can damage lung tissue, scar small blood vessels, and increase the risk
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As marijuana becomes legal in more places, new research raises concerns about its impact on heart health—even in young, otherwise healthy individuals. Two recent studies presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 2025 Annual Scientific Session found that cannabis users under 50 were significantly more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and cardiovascular-related
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Menthol is a compound found naturally in peppermint and similar plants, but it can also be made synthetically. In tobacco products like cigarettes, menthol produces a cooling sensation in the throat and lungs, which reduces the harshness of the smoke and makes it easier to inhale—an effect that can increase the likelihood of addiction. Menthol
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Youth violence doesn’t just cause immediate harm—it can have lasting consequences on a young person’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Exposure to violence during adolescence can disrupt healthy development, impair decision-making, and create challenges with learning. It can also lead to difficulty forming positive connections with peers and trusted adults, as well as make it
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Commercial tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the U.S., disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. For decades, tobacco companies have strategically targeted youth, low-income communities, and racial and ethnic minorities, increasing access to and appeal of tobacco products. Social factors like poverty, discrimination, and adverse childhood experiences further contribute to
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School violence is a serious issue that disrupts learning, affects student well-being, and impacts entire communities. It includes acts such as bullying, fighting, weapon use, gang violence, and sexual violence, all of which contribute to an unsafe environment for students. According to the CDC, nearly one in five high school students reported being bullied at
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