VIRTUAL: Tobacco Use, Vaping, and Lung Health in the Era of COVID-19: Important Information for People in Recovery

This is a virtual ZOOM training, the ZOOM log-in information will be sent out as we approach the training date. 

Description: People with substance use disorders and mental health conditions have higher prevalence rates of tobacco/nicotine use than the general population. In the past year, new health risks have surfaced related to cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use. Data continues to emerge throughout the COVID-19 pandemic showing that both adults and youth who smoke or vape are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 and may have more severe illness compared to people who do not smoke or vape. Smoking weakens the lungs, heart, and other vital organs essential to the body’s fight against COVID-19.  Smoking damages the immune system and increases risk of lung and chest infections and vaping compromises lung health as well. It must also be noted that popular flavored products like menthol cigarettes can increase the risk of lung disease. The hand-to-mouth activity involved in smoking and vaping can increase the possibility of exposure to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Additionally, people with active alcohol/other drug addictions often share cigarettes and vaping devices, another risk factor for spreading the virus to each other. 



The workshop will provide the latest information and resources for helping people who may be ready to stop tobacco use or those interested in reducing risks as a step toward quitting in the future. 



We will review the latest research on the enhanced risks COVID-19 presents to individuals with a history of SUD, including tobacco/nicotine use disorder. We will review e-cigarettes and the range of vaping products available, including how these products work, what is in them, and current research findings regarding the health impact of using vaping products. We will review data from the 2019-20 outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarette and vaping products, and examine the coronavirus concerns related to tobacco use and vaping. We will discuss the role of flavors in tobacco/nicotine products, especially menthol, and menthol’s impact on health and quitting smoking. Additionally, we will review the new laws recently implemented in Massachusetts that restrict the sale of menthol flavored tobacco products.

Objectives:

Upon completing this training, participants will be able to:

• Participants will become familiar with how to integrate the topic of tobacco/nicotine into their work with clients 
• Participants will increase their understanding of how smoking and vaping increase the risk of complications from COVID-19
• Participants will develop new treatment skills and strategies for discussing the overlap of smoking and vaping tobacco and COVID-19 symptoms and disease progression 
• with clients
• Participants will increase their understanding of the relationship between smoking/vaping and stress and discuss ways to help clients identify alternative coping strategies
• Participants will become familiar with the recent Massachusetts laws on tobacco products and the implications for people in treatment and the recovery community
• Participants will gain multiple strategies for introducing and integrating tobacco/nicotine awareness activities into substance use treatment