Course Goals:

This comprehensive course equips nurses and health professionals with essential knowledge and skills to address the pressing youth tobacco and nicotine epidemic. Participants will gain a deep understanding of prevention and control strategies to reduce youth access and use and effective screening and cessation strategies for nicotine dependency. The course emphasizes the detrimental impact of commercial tobacco, the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States, and highlights the risks posed by various tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Participants will explore the addictive properties of nicotine, its detrimental effects on brain development, and the imperative of preventing youth initiation of tobacco use. Armed with evidence-based tools and resources, healthcare providers will be empowered to educate, screen, and support youth in quitting tobacco and nicotine habits, significantly impacting their long-term health and well-being.  

Learning Outcomes: 

After completing this course, the learner will be able to:

• Analyze the current landscape of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine product use among youth, including prevalence and trends.
• Discuss the multifaceted factors associated with youth initiation of tobacco product use, considering social, environmental, and individual influences.
• Examine the physical and behavioral effects of tobacco and nicotine products on youth, including the implications for brain development and overall health.
• Evaluate effective strategies to reduce youth access to and use of tobacco and nicotine products, considering prevention, policy, and educational interventions.
• Summarize evidence-based screening techniques and cessation strategies. specifically tailored for youth, incorporating best practices and resources to support successful quit attempts.