As another school year arrives and summer comes to an end, parents and students alike are looking forward to beginning school after what seems to have been a very long year already. In fact, many families are looking forward to their children returning to in-person learning in the classroom.

While back to school means school supply shopping and new clothes and shoes, and schedules, there will be other pieces that will continue to vary such as masks, social distancing, and vaccination status. However, in the excitement of back-to-school preparation I want to take this opportunity to let parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and caregivers know that there is one aspect of the back-to-school conversation that should not be skipped over — getting familiar with the candy- and fruit-flavored commercial tobacco products that kids find themselves tempted with in today’s world.

Did you know the tobacco industry employees some of the most brilliant and creative people in the world? Some of the types of products currently on the market include toy-like shapes and colors (e.g., fidget spinners and other flashy small shapes), wearables that include vaping devices designed to deceive others around them (e.g., backpacks, hoodies, and smartwatches), lookalike devices developed to look like everyday items such as a makeup compact, writing pen, highlighter or toothpicks, as well as disposable products.

Not only are the delivery devices of tobacco products changing to be more deceptive, but the flavors offered are increasingly appealing to the younger populations. Some of the top youth vaping flavors are wild juice flavors such as Murica, On Cloud Custard, Hannibal Nectar, Cowboy Cooler, Ice Cold, Double Rainbow, Circus Bear, Milk and Berries, Cotton Candy, Mint, Totally Toffee, Caramel Banana, Havana Beach, etc. I am sure you get the idea … the enticing flavors are marketed with “cool” names to primarily attract — you guessed it — our youth!

As a mother of teenagers, first and foremost, and as a health care professional I strongly encourage every adult involved in a child’s life to visit www.tobaccoischanging.com, to learn more about the commercial tobacco industry and their deceptive products that are meant solely to get teens addicted and to keep one of the most lucrative global businesses alive and thriving. This website will also provide education on how things like flavoring and menthol, packaging, and store placement make products more appealing to kids.

As your child gets ready to head back to the classroom, adults involved in their life can be confident that they are prepared for the challenges that their teen might face this school year and be more comfortable about starting a conversation about the dangers of these products. I would also encourage you to learn more about your local school district tobacco-free polices and any measures that will be taken if your child is found in possession with any of these products.

To learn more about the Northwoods Tobacco Coalition, visit the Florence County Health Departments website at https://florencewipublichealth.com/index.htm or follow us on Facebook at @FlorenceCountyHealthDept.