Use Your Instincts

• Your brain is still developing until age 25 and drinking can impact areas of the brain that help with attention, planning and making decisions, processing emotions, and controlling impulses. ^1,2
• Research has shown that youth who drink heavily can have trouble with attention, memory and decision-making and can experience social, emotional, and behavior problems.³

• Alcohol also impacts decision making, which can lead to us making decisions whilst drinking that we would not normally make sober, such as getting into a car with a driver who has been drinking.¹ Drinking alcohol has been linked with:
  • Increases in risky behaviour
  • Increases in aggression.¹

• Research shows that drinking is also associated with increased chance of suicide, drowning and experiencing or committing physical or sexual assault because alcohol impairs judgment, reasoning, and the ability to assess risk.¹
• Like adults, young people who regularly consume alcohol also increase their risk of developing chronic illnesses such as cancer, stroke, heart and liver disease.¹

Alcohol can have impact your mental health. Because alcohol is a depressant, it slows your body down and changes the chemical makeup in your brain. This has many effects. It can alter:

• Mood ⁴
• Energy levels ⁴
• Sleeping patterns ⁴
• Concentration ³
• Memory and many other things.³

• Sometimes it may seem like everyone around you is drinking, but most youth in Ontario don’t drink alcohol. ⁵
• Alcohol marketing is very common today. It is promoted through a variety of media including television, radio, posters, billboards, transit ads, branded merchandise, sponsorship of sports and music events, and social media. ⁶ The use of social media has allowed for greater reach and targets youth. ⁶
• The alcohol industry uses strategies to create positive beliefs about alcohol and its effects.^6.7 The more normal they can make it seem the less harmful you will think it is. You need to question where and who you get your info from so that you can make your own decisions based on truths & facts not beliefs.

1. Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. Youth and Alcohol; 2014. Available from: https://ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-04/CCSA-Youth-and-Alcohol-Summary-2014-en.pdf
2. Province of Nova Scotia. Reducing alcohol harms among university students: A summary of best practices; 2012. Available from: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/addictions/documents/Reducing-alcohol-harms-among-university-students.pdf
3. Government of Canada. Chief Public Health Officer’s report on the state of public health in Canada: Alcohol consumption in Canada; 2016. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/canada/health-canada/migration/healthy-canadians/publications/department-ministere/state-public-health-alcohol-2015-etat-sante-publique-alcool/alt/state-phac-alcohol-2015-etat-aspc-alcool-eng.pdf
4. Government of Alberta. Alcohol and other drugs; 2020. Available from: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/youth-addiction-mental-health/alcohol-and-other-drugs/alcohol
5. Boak, A., Hamilton, H. A., Adlaf, E. M., & Mann, R. E. (2017). Drug use among Ontario students, 1977-2017: Detailed findings from the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS). Toronto, ON: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Available from: https://camh.ca/en/science-and-research/institutes-and-centres/institute-for-mental-health-policy-research/ontario-student-drug-use-and-health-survey—osduhs
6. Ontario Public Health Association. Alcohol marketing and advertising – strategies to reduce alcohol-related harms and costs in Ontario; n.d. Available from: https://opha.on.ca/getmedia/23a643ff-6899-4846-920f-7440631c92ac/Marketing-Advertising-Alcohol-OPHA-Issue-Series-2015.pdf.aspx?ext=.pdf
7. Public Health Ontario, Giesbrecht N, Wettlaufer A. Focus on: Alcohol marketing; 2016. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Retrieved from: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/focus-on-alcohol-marketing.pdf?la=en

Using cannabis before the age of 25 is associated with negative changes to the developing brain’s structure and function. ^1,2,3 This is because the brain continues to develop until your mid-twenties.

• The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for things like decision making, regulating emotions, planning, and problem solving, is particularly sensitive to the effects of cannabis during the adolescent years. ¹
• Using cannabis in adolescence impacts attention, memory, and verbal learning. ^1,2,3
• Since these effects of cannabis can impact learning and schoolwork, research has shown that youth who use cannabis regularly are more likely to drop out of high school or university. ^2,3  

• Even if it seems like everyone around you is using, remember, the majority of youth DON’T use cannabis. Four out of five Ontario students report not having used cannabis in the last year. ⁴
• Youth who use cannabis early and often, are at risk of long-term health and social problems. ⁵ Here are a few examples:
  • Difficulties with relationships – at home, school or work. ⁵
  • Physical health harms – including lung and breathing problems from smoking cannabis. ^5,6
  • Increased risk of mental health problems – such as psychosis or schizophrenia and, possibly, depression, anxiety and suicide, especially if there’s a personal or family history of mental illness. ^1,3,5
  • Increased risk of harm to the brain – such as problems with memory, concentration, thinking, learning, handling emotions, and decision-making. ^1,2,3,5

• Cannabis affects mental health. Cannabis can increase risk of psychosis or schizophrenia (difficulties understanding what is real and what is not), especially when there is a family or personal history of mental illness. ^1,2,7,8
• Cannabis affects your mood and feelings. Cannabis use can make youth feel very anxious and panicked. ¹
• There are also an association between regular cannabis use in youth and increased risk for anxiety, depression, and suicide. ^3,8
• Cannabis is also addictive. Using cannabis as a teen can increase the chance of becoming dependent. ^3,5 Close to 1 in 10 people who use cannabis will develop an addiction to it BUT this rises to about 1 in 6 for people who started using cannabis as a teenager.⁶

• Be sure to check your point of view about cannabis and make choices using facts found on reputable websites.
• It is safer not to use cannabis but if you choose to use learn ways to reduce some of the risks to your brain and your body. ⁹
  • Try to delay cannabis until you’re older to lower the risks
  • Try to choose products with low THC content, or higher CBD compared to THC
  • Go easy on your lungs. If you do smoke cannabis, avoid deep inhalation or breath-holding
  • Have more cannabis free days.
  • Watch out for synthetic cannabis products like K2 or Spice. Synthetic cannabis has been linked to seizures, irregular heartbeat, panic attacks, hallucinations, and in some cases, death.
  • It is best to avoid cannabis if you or your family has a history of psychosis or addiction

1. Government of Canada. Is cannabis safe to use? Facts for youth aged 13-17 years; 2018. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/drugs-health-products/is-cannabis-safe-use-facts-youth.html

2. Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. Clearing the smoke on cannabis: Regular use and cognitive functioning; 2019. Available from: https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-09/CCSA-Cannabis-Use-Cognitive-Effects-Report-2019-en.pdf

3. George, T. & Vaccarino, F. Substance abuse in Canada: The effects of cannabis use during adolescence. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction; 2015. Available from: https://ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-04/CCSA-Effects-of-Cannabis-Use-during-Adolescence-Report-2015-en.pdf

4. Boak, A., Hamilton, H. A., Adlaf, E. M., & Mann, R. E. (2017). Drug use among Ontario students, 1977-2017: Detailed findings from the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS). Toronto, ON: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Available from: https://camh.ca/en/science-and-research/institutes-and-centres/institute-for-mental-health-policy-research/ontario-student-drug-use-and-health-survey—osduhs

5. Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research. Cannabis use and youth; 2018. Available from: https://youthrex.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Here-to-Help-Cannabis-Use-and-Youth.pdf

6. Government of Canada. Health effects of cannabis; 2017. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/hc-sc/documents/services/campaigns/27-16-1808-Factsheet-Health-Effects-eng-web.pdf

7. Government of Canada. Does cannabis use increase the risk of developing psychosis or schizophrenia; 2018. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/hc-sc/documents/services/publications/drugs-health-products/does-cannabis-use-increase-risk-developing-psychosis-schizophrenia/does-cannabis-use-increase-risk-developing-psychosis-schizophrenia-eng.pdf

8. Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. Clearing the smoke on cannabis: Regular use and mental health; 2019. Available from: https://ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-08/CCSA-Cannabis-Use-Mental-Health-Report-2019-en_0.pdf

9. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. The blunt truth: Useful tips about safer ways to use cannabis; 2018. Available from: https://www.camh.ca/-/media/images/all-other-images/research-lrcug-for-youth/lrcug_for_youth-eng-pdf.pdf?la=en&hash=15D9E4FBB8DBA73B665C3267E64FE233F937A298

The aerosol from vaping products is not just harmless water; it contains chemicals that can lead to:

• lung damage

• gum disease

 • changes in the brain

• addiction²

• The e-cigarette aerosol that users breathe from the device and exhale can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including:
  • Nicotine
  • Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
  • Flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Cancer-causing chemicals
  • Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead ⁴
• The aerosol that users inhale and exhale from e-cigarettes can expose both themselves and bystanders to harmful substances.⁴

Vape companies admit their products are dangerous for youth⁵ yet they target youth using fun flavours & trendy designs, social media influencers, by hosting summer camps and marketing in school classrooms! ⁶

Lots of flavours! Cool gear! There’s a reason why tobacco giant Altria Group, the owners of Philip Morris USA and makers of Marlboro cigarettes bought a 35% stake in Juul Labs.⁷

Most recently, an Altria senior exec also took over as Juul CEO. ⁸

Getting into the heated nicotine business not only gives Big Tobacco a new billion-dollar income stream but is also a way for them to become relevant again.⁹

Canada’s leading vape company does not make a no-nic product. One pod contains as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. The pods contain Nicotine Salts, also known as Nic Salts, a different type of nicotine vs the regular “freebase” nicotine found in cigarettes and e-juices.

Nic salts help the industry because they make vaping easier for users to inhale than the original freebase nicotine and less harsh on the throat. This allows users to inhale higher amounts of nicotine per puff; hooking them faster and longer.

Using nicotine before the age of 25 has a lasting impact on our brain, affecting memory, attention, and the ability to control our actions and impulses.¹⁰ 

Be schooled

[1] Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Current evidence on e-cigarettes: a summary of potential impacts. Toronto Ontario. Queen’s Printer of Ontario. 2018, Nov. Available from https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/literature-review-ecigarettes.pdf?la=en

[2] Mortiz, T. Vaping it’s all smoke and mirrors. United States of America: The America Lung Association; 2018. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/about-us/blog/2019/03/vaping-smoke-and-mirrors.html

[3] Napoli, N. . E-Cigarettes linked to heart attacks, coronary artery disease, and depression. Washington, D.C: American College of Cardiology; 2019 Mar 7. Available from https://www.acc.org/about-acc/press-releases/2019/03/07/10/03/ecigarettes-linked-to-heart-attacks-coronary-artery-disease-and-depression

[4] Centre for Disease Control. Quick facts on the risks of e-cigarettes for kids, teens, and young adults. Atlanta, GA. US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2019  Mar 11. Available from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html

[5] LaVito, A. Maker of popular Juul e-cigarette says it wants to help stop teens from using its products. CNBC {Internet}.  2018 Apr 25 [ cited Jan 7, 2020]; Woodstock and Region. Available from https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/25/juul-says-it-wants-to-help-stop-teens-from-using-its-e-cigarettes.html

[6] Kaplan, S. Richtel, M. Juul illegally marketed e-cigarettes, F.D.A says.  New York Times [Internet]. 2019 Sept 9 [cited 2019 Oct 8]. Woodstock and Region. Available from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/09/health/vaping-juul-e-cigarettes-fda.html

[7] Maloney, J. Juul hires another top Altria executive. Wall Street Journal [internet].  2019 Oct 1 [cited 2019 Oct 8); Woodstock and Region. Available from https://www.wsj.com/articles/juul-hires-another-top-altria-executive-11569971306

[8] Maloney, J. (2019, October 1). Juul Hires Another Top Altria Executive. Wallstreet Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/juul-hires-another-top-altria-executive-11569971306

[9] Zaleski, O., & Kary, T. Altria invests $12.8 Billion in e-cigarette maker Juul. Bloomberg [Internet]. 2018 Dec 20 [cited 2019 Oct 9]; Woodstock and Region. Available from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-12-20/altria-invests-12-8-billion-in-e-cigarette-maker-juul-labs

[10] Goriounova N, Mansvelder H. Short- and long-term consequences of nicotine exposure during adolescence for prefrontal cortex neuronal network function. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2012;2(12):a012120.

[11] Hammond, D., Reid, J. L., Rynard, V. L., Fong, G. T., Cummings, K. M., McNeill, A., … & O’Connor, R. Prevalence of vaping and smoking among adolescents in Canada, England, and the United States: repeat national cross-sectional surveys. Bmj; 365, l2219. Available from https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/prevalence-of-vaping-and-smoking-among-adolescents-in-canada-england-and-the-united-states(ad6c4526-542c-492f-a074-2df31da92eaa).html