(The following research reveals again the need to embrace the indispensable arena of the Affective Domain of Education for best practice protective behaviours development. The imperatives of positive behaviour developing protocols has never been more crucial. Ethics, morals and/or other anthropologically sound behavioural guidelines are a key factor in framing decision making and managing stimuli in the developing human.

World famous Existential Psychologist Rollo May once stated that; “a person can overcome anxiety to the extent that their values are greater than the threat.”  The formation of best practice health and well-being values has always been vital for an emerging citizens healthy understanding of self, along with their community responsibility and contribution development contribution. 

So, ignoring these imperatives is not an option, and passive acquiescence to ‘cultural-market’ forces only diminish the brains capacity to understand and engage with ‘stimuli’ as it presents. The question remains for us all… Who or what is informing these ‘values’; are they best practice, and who says? 

Dalgarno Institute)

Also see. 

• The Resilient Brain & The Resilient Life
• AOD Primary Prevention & Demand Reduction Priority Primer: TASKING THE NATIONAL HEALTH STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY WELL-BEING
• Drug Policy – Building or Demolishing Community Resilience?
• Social Determinants & Substance Use – Beyond the Policy ‘Silo’ Pragmatics

Groundbreaking research has uncovered how changes in brain connectivity tied to cognitive control could serve as early indicators of adolescent substance use risk. The study highlights how understanding neural mechanisms can predict when teenagers might experiment with harmful substances, including alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

Seven-Year Study Offers Key Findings: Led by Dr. Jungmeen Kim-Spoon from Virginia Tech, researchers conducted a seven-year study involving 91 adolescents aged 14 to 21, none of whom had used substances at the beginning. Using advanced brain scans and behavioural tests, the team identified neural patterns linked to adolescent substance use risk, predicting who might initiate substance use before it occurred.

Adolescents with stronger neural connectivity between the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showed a tendency to delay substance use. However, those with weaker connectivity in these regions—and changes in connections across other brain areas—were at greater risk of starting substance use earlier and engaging more frequently.

Strengthening Cognitive Control as a Shield: The findings emphasise the critical role of cognitive control in shielding teens from the dangers of substance use. Cognitive control helps individuals regulate impulses and resist temptations. According to co-investigator Dr Ya-Yun Chen, subtle changes in brain connectivity—rather than behavioural traits like decision-making—acted as more reliable indicators of substance use risk.

Implications for Prevention Strategies: Dr Kim-Spoon stressed the importance of these discoveries in shaping effective intervention strategies. By focusing on strengthening cognitive control during early adolescence, parents, educators, and health professionals can work together to prevent young people from engaging in risky behaviours that often lead to addiction and other negative outcomes.

The Broader Context of Teen Substance Use Danger: Statistics reveal that more than two-thirds of individuals aged 12 to 17 in the United States experiment with substances annually. This study offers an urgent reminder that acting early is vital. Preventing substance use through education, while promoting robust neural development, could provide adolescents with the tools they need for healthy, substance-free lives.

The findings call for joint efforts from families, schools, and policymakers to help young people maintain their well-being and avoid the pitfalls of substance use. (Source: News-Medical.net)

Parental substance use sends shockwaves through the lives of children, shattering their sense of safety, disrupting their development, and undermining their most basic rights. It fuels a chain reaction of vulnerability, entrenching cycles of trauma, poverty, and instability that rob children of the innocence and security they deserve. With every statistic lies the story of a child navigating fractured families, bearing invisible burdens, and longing for solace.

This urgent crisis demands unwavering focus, innovative solutions, and a collective commitment to protect and restore the futures of the youngest and most vulnerable among us.

View PDF

Disposable e-cigarettes are at the forefront of discussions surrounding public health and environmental concerns. These devices, especially popular among adolescents and young adults, have surged in use over the last few years. This article explores the rapid rise of disposable e-cigarettes, their appeal, and the potential dangers they pose to individuals and the environment.

The Growing Popularity of Disposable E-Cigarettes

Disposable e-cigarettes quickly gained traction worldwide, particularly after 2021, due to their ease of use, affordability, and attractive flavour profiles. Unlike earlier vaping devices found mainly in specialist vape shops, disposables are readily available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and online. Their accessible nature makes them especially appealing to younger individuals, including those who have never smoked before.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) underscores this concerning trend, noting that “disposable e-cigarettes are now the most used product among current vapers, up more than 7-fold from 7% in 2020 and 8% in 2021, to 52% in 2022” (Source: ASH). Studies reflect this growing popularity, with brands like Elf Bar dominating the market in regions such as England due to their sweet flavours and packaging designed to attract younger consumers. However, this surge in usage brings serious health and safety concerns.

Health Implications of Disposable E-Cigarettes

One of the primary concerns surrounding disposable e-cigarettes is their accessibility and rising appeal to young people who might otherwise avoid nicotine. Unlike traditional smoking trends, many users of disposable e-cigarettes—including adolescents—report having no prior smoking experience. This shift in nicotine consumption marks a worrying trend.

According to a report from NPR, “the rise in vaping reversed declines in nicotine use among teens and young adults; cigarette smoking has been declining since the late 1990s, but it has been substantially replaced for young people by newer nicotine technologies” (Source: NPR). This replacement effect highlights how disposable vapes, with their strong nicotine concentrations and appealing flavours, contribute to nicotine dependency in younger demographics.

Furthermore, the presentation of flavoured disposables in bright, attractive packaging normalises the behaviour and often masks the severity of their potential health impacts. Youth-targeted marketing campaigns on social media platforms such as TikTok amplify the problem, glamorising vaping and encouraging experimentation.

Environmental Impact of Disposable E-Cigarettes

One of the most visible issues surrounding disposable e-cigarettes is the environmental destruction caused by improper disposal. These single-use products combine lithium-ion batteries, plastics, and other non-recyclable materials, contributing to waste and pollution. Alarmingly, surveys reveal a significant portion of users dispose of these products with regular household rubbish, creating massive environmental and safety hazards.

The improper handling of these devices not only clogs waste streams but also risks fires at recycling and incineration facilities due to the lithium-ion batteries they contain. The growing reliance on disposables represents an unsustainable trend that demands urgent and coordinated global action.

Stricter Regulations and the Call for Research

Given the explosive growth of disposable e-cigarettes, governments worldwide are scrambling to implement regulations. The UK has already announced plans to ban the sale of disposables by June 2025, while Australia has stopped the importation of such devices altogether. These measures aim to curtail their availability, particularly to younger users, and address the mounting environmental repercussions.

Even so, challenges remain. Manufacturers are already pivoting to “reusable disposable” models that mimic single-use designs under the guise of compliance with new regulations. This tactic underscores the urgent need for research and policies to anticipate and adapt to industry tactics. Insightful studies must stay ahead of these trends, focusing on understanding the impact of disposables on broader public health and the environment.

Tackling the Impact of Single-Use Vapes

The rapid rise of disposable e-cigarettes is becoming a serious public health and environmental issue. These single-use vapes are easy to get hold of and cleverly marketed, making them especially appealing to younger people. As a result, more and more young users are picking up nicotine habits at alarming rates. On top of that, the way these devices are thrown away is causing significant harm to the environment.

While some countries are starting to take action to tackle this problem, there’s still a long way to go. Stronger rules, better education, and stricter enforcement are all needed to control the spread of these single-use vapes. By working together, we can protect both people’s health and the planet, shifting the focus from short-term convenience to long-term responsibility.

What You Need to Know – Australian Law

Australia has after much advocacy, and sadly, some compromise introduced clear laws around Vapes and E-Cigarettes. On 1 July 2024, the law changed so that all vapes and vaping products, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not, can only be sold in a pharmacy for the purpose of helping people quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence.

It is illegal for any other business, such as tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores, to sell any type of vape or vape product. 

From 1 October 2024, people 18 years and older can buy vapes from participating pharmacies with a nicotine concentration of 20 mg/mL or less without a prescription, where state and territory laws allow. 

They must talk with the pharmacist before purchasing. This includes:

• discussing the product and dosage
• discussing other options to quit smoking and/or manage nicotine dependence
• providing identification (for proof of age purposes only).

Only one month’s supply can be purchased over the course of one month.

People under 18 years need a prescription to access vapes, where state and territory laws allow, to ensure they get appropriate medical advice and supervision.

People who need vapes with a higher concentration of nicotine than 20 mg/mL also need a prescription, regardless of their age.

Flavours are restricted to mint, menthol and tobacco, and vapes must adhere to plain pharmaceutical packaging standards. 

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is leading the development of these reforms

The new Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023 started from 1 April 2024. The same bans that apply to tobacco advertising and sponsorship will apply to vapes. (Dept of Health & Aged Care) (Source: Wiley Online Library)

Every parent wants to give their child the best possible start in life. But certain lifestyle choices during pregnancy can have lasting implications, even in ways that are not immediately visible. Recent research has shed light on how prenatal alcohol exposure—even in low to moderate amounts—can impact children’s development, particularly their physical and cognitive health.

A fascinating study of children aged six to eight years analysed how alcohol during pregnancy can affect facial development. Researchers found subtle but consistent changes, such as variations in the shape of the eyes and nose, in children exposed to alcohol in the womb. Alarmingly, alcohol consumption caused these changes to appear. This happened whether the mother consumed alcohol solely in the first trimester or throughout the entire pregnancy.

These findings are undeniably significant. They build on mounting evidence for the sensitivity of a developing foetus to external influences. Reinforcing the concern, experts at the CDC note that “alcohol use during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).” Source: CDC.

For complete study (J.A.M.A)

Understanding Factors Influencing Adolescent Substance Use

The teenage years are a time of growth and change, but they can also be a time of risk. (See Exploration or Experimentation – Who Says?)During this stage, young people are heavily influenced by the people around them, especially their friends. When peers use drugs or drink alcohol, it can have a big impact on whether a teenager decides to do the same. But why does this happen, and what can make some teens more likely to follow their friends—or more likely to say no? 

Here, we’ll look at the things that increase or reduce the risk of young people trying harmful substances. By understanding these factors, parents, schools, and communities can come together to protect young people and help them make healthier choices.

Why Are Teenagers Influenced by Their Friends?

Teenagers often want to fit in and be accepted, which can make them more likely to copy their friends’ behaviour. At the same time, their brains are still developing, especially the parts responsible for decision-making and self-control. This combination means teens are more vulnerable to peer pressure.

“Social influences are central, powerful factors that promote experimentation or initiation of substance use. Along with exposure to positive attitudes and expectations regarding substance use, the modelling of substance use behaviour by important others (e.g., parents, older siblings, and peers) is a critical negative social influence.” (Source: PMC) (See Thermostat or Thermometer – Who’s calling the shots?)

Research shows that while this influence is strongest between the ages of 12 and 15, it starts to lessen as teenagers get older. This is why it’s so important to help guide young people early on, before they fall into habits that could harm them.

How Family Can Protect Teens

One of the most powerful ways to protect teenagers from trying drugs or alcohol is through strong family relationships. Teens who feel close to their parents and know that their family disapproves of substance use are less likely to try it, even if their friends do.

However, the opposite is also true—if siblings or other family members use substances, it can make teens more likely to follow that example. Families play a major role in setting a good example and creating a home environment free from harmful substances.

The Role of Schools

Schools play a huge part in shaping how young people think and behave. Schools that take a strong stance against drugs and alcohol create a safer environment for students. When teens feel connected to their school and are engaged in activities, they are less likely to follow peers into risky behaviours.

Conversely, teenagers who struggle with schoolwork or who attend poorly managed schools are at a higher risk of being influenced by substance-using peers. Schools need to offer more than lessons—they need to help students feel supported and part of a community with positive values.

Friends and Social Groups Matter

The friendships teens form can be both a risk and a safeguard. Teens with supportive friends who don’t use drugs or alcohol are less likely to try these substances. But for those with friends who do use them, the pressure to fit in can be strong.

Close friendships can sometimes work against teens if substances like alcohol or cannabis are seen as normal in their social circle. Encouraging teens to mix with a variety of peers and to join positive social groups can reduce this risk. (See Beating the toxic contagions and becoming a ‘change agent’)

Community Factors and Their Influence

The neighbourhoods and communities teens live in also have an impact. Living in areas where substance use is common or where there’s visible crime can normalise risky behaviours and make teens more likely to use drugs or alcohol.

However, community-based initiatives, sports clubs, and structured extracurricular activities can shield adolescents, offering alternative pathways for social bonding and self-esteem development. Formal sports participation – as opposed to unstructured or informal gatherings – particularly stands out as a protective factor, creating an environment where effort, teamwork, and discipline are prioritised over substance use.

The Power of Prevention

Prevention is key to protecting teenagers from falling into substance use. “The most effective prevention programs target salient risk and protective factors at the individual, family, and/or community levels and are guided by relevant psychosocial theories regarding the etiology of substance use and abuse.” (Source: PMC) By addressing these factors, prevention efforts can make a meaningful difference in delaying or avoiding substance use altogether. Adolescents benefit most from interventions that involve their families, schools, and wider community, showing that a collaborative approach works best.

Helping Teens Make Healthier Choices

Protecting young people from the risks of drugs and alcohol isn’t just the job of parents or teachers—it’s something that requires everyone’s effort. Families, schools, and communities all need to play a role in creating safe environments and promoting positive behaviours. (See Reward & Rebellion – Making & Breaking Habits)

Here are a few ways to help teens say no to harmful substances:

• Build strong, supportive family relationships.
• Encourage teens to join sports, clubs, or other structured activities.
• Provide clear expectations and consequences around substance use.
• Teach decision-making skills and emotional control to help teens resist peer pressure.

Adolescence is a time when young people are figuring out who they are and what they want in life. By guiding them and giving them the tools to make healthy decisions, we can help them lead substance-free lives and reach their full potential.

When families, schools, and communities work together, we can protect young people and give them the support they need to make better, healthier choices. It’s a responsibility we all share, and the impact can last a lifetime. (Source: Springer Nature Link)