An Overview of Tobacco Policies in Kansas Unified School Districts.

Introduction: In 2019, 25.8% of Kansas high school youth reported using any form of tobacco product. Schools can prevent and reduce youth tobacco use by adopting comprehensive tobacco policies, which include all tobacco products, on school grounds and at school-sponsored, off-campus events, for all individuals at all times, and integrate cessation services for students who violate the tobacco policy. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of comprehensive tobacco policies in unified school districts (USD) across Kansas to determine how many schools have adopted such policies. Methods: All 286 USDs in Kansas were eligible to participate in this study including elementary, middle, and high schools. Participating schools were asked to upload their policies to a website developed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Frequencies and percentages were computed to identify the type of tobacco products prohibited, the locations where tobacco use is prohibited, who is prohibited from using tobacco, when tobacco is prohibited, and consequences of students' violation of the tobacco policy. Results: Several USD policies met some of these comprehensive recommendations; however, 97.9% (n = 280) did not. In other words, 2.1% of USD policies (n = 6) were comprehensive in Kansas. Most districts (98.3%, n = 281) presented policies prohibiting use of all forms of tobacco for students, but policies often offered more leniency for faculty/staff and visitors. Fewer districts presented policies prohibiting use of all tobacco products for staff/faculty (73.1%, n = 209) and visitors (45.8%, n = 131) of policies. Conclusions: Nearly all USDs in Kansas have an opportunity to strengthen their tobacco policies. Relatively simple edits can be made to prohibit all tobacco products, prohibit use on school grounds and at school-sponsored, off-campus events, ensure these policies apply to everyone, at all times, and integrate cessation resources for students who violate the tobacco policy.

Factors associated with binge drinking-Findings from 2019 Kansas behavioral risk factor surveillance system.

Background: In the U.S., excessive drinking accounts for one in 10 deaths among adults aged 20-64 years old. Binge drinking is a common form of excessive alcohol consumption that contributes to this chilling statistic. Binge drinking is defined as women consuming four or more drinks or men consuming five or more drinks within a 2-h time span. Examining existing data on risk factors for binge drinking can inform strategies to prevent this deadly practice. Methods: The 2019 Kansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset consists of data collected from 11,368 non-institutionalized adults aged 18 years and older with landline or cell phones. The dependent variable in this study was binge drinking status. The independent variables included several sociodemographic variables and risk factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, single logistic regression, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: In the population, 1,447 (17.4%) were reported to be binge drinkers. Significant factors associated with binge drinking in the final model included sex (aOR = 0.53 (0.45-0.63)), age (18-24 years old aOR = 8.77 (6.02-12.79); 25-34 years old aOR = 7.10 (5.35-9.42); 35-44 years old aOR = 6.23 (4.73-8.19); 45-54 years old aOR = 3.87 (2.92-5.14); and 55-64 years old aOR = 2.58 (1.96-3.38)), income ($15,000-$24,999 aOR = 1.00 (0.63-1.58); $25,000-$34,999 aOR = 1.61 (1.04-2.50); $35,000-$49,999 aOR = 1.69 (1.13-2.55); ≥$50,000 aOR = 1.97 (1.34-2.89)), smokeless tobacco use (aOR = 2.09 (1.55-2.82)), and smoking/e-cigarette use (Cigarette user only aOR = 2.11 (1.69-2.65); E-cigarette user only aOR = 2.67 (1.62-3.17); dual cigarette and e-cigarette user = 3.43 (2.21-5.33)). Conclusion: Developing interventions that take into account elevated risk for binge drinking amongst demographic characteristics (i.e., age, sex, income) and lifestyle factors (i.e., smokeless tobacco use, and smoking/e-cigarette use) is crucial to lowering morbidity and mortality related to this form of excessive alcohol consumption.

The Role of the School Nurse in Creating a Vape-Free School.

Electronic, or "e"-cigarette use has been adopted by an alarming number of teens in recent years. E-cigarettes are neither legal for youth nor considered safe for use by youth. E-cigarette companies have targeted youth in their marketing strategies and developed appealing flavors with high nicotine content to ensure dependence on their products. Schools lack adequate resources and capacity to address e-cigarette use, relying mostly on punitive sanctions for what is essentially a health issue. School nurses can help their districts and schools by navigating appropriate consequences for vaping, providing accurate information and education, providing cessation resources, advocating for student support, and informing stakeholders on population health strategies to prevent initiation and reduce youth e-cigarette use.