Assembly Resolution No. 1035

BY: M. of A. Solages

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 2024, as Vaping Awareness Month in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in participating in
months designated to raise awareness of important issues; and

WHEREAS, March 2024 will be observed as Vaping Awareness Month to
create awareness around the dangers of vaping and electronic cigarette
products, especially due to the fact that youth and young adults are the
primary users of e-cigarettes, a majority of which contain the highly
addictive chemical nicotine; and

WHEREAS, Almost all adults addicted to nicotine started smoking or
using other tobacco products in their teens, and nearly 9 out of 10
adult smokers started smoking by age 18; and

WHEREAS, E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product by
high school students in New York State, and more than one in five high
school students reported vaping nicotine in 2020; and

WHEREAS, Nicotine can harm the developing brain of adolescents and
young adults, which can lead to lower impulse control and mood
disorders, disrupt attention and learning among youth and young adults,
and increase the risk for future addiction to other drugs; and

WHEREAS, The cigarette smoking rate among high school students has
declined 91% since 2000, but the high rate of e-cigarette use among
youth makes the rate of any tobacco product use similar to that in 2002;
and

WHEREAS, Nicotine use can lead to addiction which, when use is not
maintained, can result in temporary symptoms of withdrawal, including,
but not limited to, irritability, restlessness, anxiety or depression,
and trouble sleeping; and

WHEREAS, People may keep using tobacco products to help relieve
these symptoms, specifically youth trying to deal with stress or
anxiety, creating a cycle of nicotine dependence; and

WHEREAS, About two-thirds of youth in the U.S. who use tobacco
products, including e-cigarettes, report wanting to quit and trying to
quit; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2024, as Vaping
Awareness Month in the State of New York, and to urge its citizens to
educate themselves about the dangers of vaping and e-cigarette products,
and the need for more conversations with youth surrounding vaping and
nicotine addiction, early detection methods, effective treatments, and
prevention programs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.