Overview

Youth vaping is a growing concern, with many products on the market specifically appealing to young people. Vaping refers to the use of any vape product, including those containing nicotine or cannabis/marijuana. It increases the risk of nicotine addiction and exposes youth to harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and cancer-causing agents.

Compared to adults, underage drinkers are more likely to engage in binge drinking. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08%–or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter–or higher. For a typical adult, this pattern corresponds to consuming five or more drinks (male), or four or more drinks (female), in about two hours. Research shows that fewer drinks in the same period result in the same BAC in youth: only three drinks for girls and three to five drinks for boys, depending on their age and size.

Binge drinking is associated with serious alcohol-related harms, including alcohol poisoning, fatal injuries, and accidents. These consequences affect not only the adolescents themselves but also their families, peers, and communities.

Goal

Youth Vaping Goal: Reduce the proportion of youth who currently vape from the baseline of 18.0% (CHKS 2022-23) to the Healthy People 2030 target of 10.5% by June 30, 2029.

Youth Binge Drinking Goal: Reduce the proportion of youth who exhibit binge-drinking behavior from the baseline of 14.0% (CHKS 2022-23) to the Healthy People 2030 target of 8.4% by June 30, 2029.

Target Population

School-age youth

Youth Vaping chart description: Chart shows that 18% of 11th graders in TTUSD currently vape, as compared to the Healthy People 2030 target of 10.5%.

Down arrow with improvement written on it

Youth Vaping
Healthy People 2030 Target 10.5%
11th Graders in TTUSD 18%

Youth Binge Drinking chart description: Chart shows that 14% of 11th graders in TTUSD currently exhibit binge-drinking behavior, as compared to the Healthy People 2030 target of 8.4%.

Down arrow with improvement written on it

Youth Binge Drinking
Healthy People 2030 Target 8.4%
11th Graders in TTUSD 14%
  • Facilitation & Coordination: Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee Program Director – Kristina Kind and Maeve Donovan
  • TFHS Provider Champions: Chelsea Wicks, MD Pediatrics; Jonathan Lowe, DNP, PA-C Psychiatry
  • Members: TTUSD, Placer County Public Health, Nevada County Public Health, Speedy Foundation, Gateway Mountain Center, TFHS Community Health, TFHD Primary Care, TFHS Substance Use Navigation
  • Date of Workgroup Launch: November 7, 2024
  • Funding: $24,000 Katz Amsterdam Foundation to TTUSD; ends 11/2025
  1. Anonymous and voluntary youth surveys to gauge use trends and awareness of substance use resources
    • Clinic-based Quality Improvement survey to asses need for standardized CRAFFT screening
    • School-based surveys
  2. School-located substance use navigation and education
  3. Community-wide substance use resources webpage
  4. TFHS substance use services youth-centered postcard and outreach

Coming soon

  • CHKS – The California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) is an anonymous, confidential survey of school climate and safety, student wellness, and youth resiliency. It is administered to students at grades five, seven, nine, and eleven. It enables schools and communities to collect and analyze data regarding local youth health risks and behaviors, school connectedness, school climate, protective factors, and school violence. The CHKS is part of a comprehensive data-driven decision-making process on improving school climate and student learning environment for overall school improvements.