San Jose, CA—Items like a pen, highlighter, and USB flash drive are common staples in any teen’s school bag and typically go unnoticed by parents. However, modern tobacco products and substances are rapidly evolving and often designed to be discreet, making them hard for parents to recognize. Parent Nights provide parents with the essential knowledge to navigate these hidden dangers. 

“The TUPE parent nights are an opportunity for parents to learn more about the harms of vaping and cannabis use,” said Lindsey White, a school climate specialist with the Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program. She added that at previous presentations, parents were “surprised to learn that vape products are real.”

Presented by the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Tobacco Use Prevention Education program (SCCOE TUPE), Parent Night is an opportunity for families to learn about the dangers of trending substances youth may encounter. These workshops equip parents with the knowledge and tools to identify vaping devices and other nicotine—or cannabis-related products, understand the health risks associated with these substances, and learn strategies for effectively communicating with their children about these issues.

Parents learn about the harsh chemicals and the amount of nicotine in vape devices. While a standard pack of 20 cigarettes contains 22 milligrams of nicotine, vape devices often contain more than that. Using one JUUL Pod is the equivalent of 37 cigarettes, while other devices can be the equivalent of nearly 600 cigarettes. For first-time users, this is a large amount of nicotine exposure, which can lead to youth developing a tolerance quickly and becoming addicted. 

White said parents have expressed to her that they hope the information shared with them continues to spread throughout the community so more awareness builds on the impact of these products on children. 

Substance use among teenagers remains a pressing issue, with tobacco, vaping, alcohol, and drugs posing significant risks to their physical and mental health, both short and long-term. Family engagement continues to be a powerful tool to reduce these risks. Engaging in honest, open conversations can steer young people away from risky behaviors, offering them the tools and knowledge to make healthier decisions.

Tips for talking with youth are covered at Parent Night and broken down into sections: preparing before a conversation, how to start the conversation, answering youth’s questions, and engaging in ongoing conversations to connect and share resources. 

Upcoming Parent Nights will be held on Wednesday, April 2 at the SCCOE in San Jose and Wednesday, April 9 at the South County Annex in Gilroy. To register, visit https://www.sccoe.org/tupe/Pages/Events.aspx