The Nicotine Prevention Enhancement Specialist works with Kentucky agencies and communities to distribute the latest research and information on nicotine and tobacco use, second and third hand smoke, and other nicotine health-related issues.
Smokeless tobacco is harmful, and use can cause health problems that are serious. Smokeless tobacco can lead to nicotine addiction, cause cancer, mouth diseases, pregnancy complications and may increase risk for death from heart disease.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Smoking leads to disease and disability, costing the U.S. billions of dollars each year. Tobacco contains thousands of chemicals and toxins that are harmful to the body and those around the smoking.
The health and economic consequences from adult and youth nicotine and tobacco use in the Commonwealth of Kentucky are significant. Among Kentucky 10th graders electronic cigarette use jumped 200% from 2016 to 2018 (REACH, 2018).