Queens Cancer Center presents anti-vaping pilot plan for District 28 students; pilot to start at Edward K. Ellington

Dr. Ellen Hagopian, director of the Queens Cancer Center and a liver and pancreas surgical oncologist, told CEC District 28 on Oct. 9 that nicotine in vaping harms the developing brain and that the center plans a pilot education program at Edward K. Ellington School.

"Nicotine really harms the developing brain. It affects memory," Hagopian said during a slide presentation that included city survey statistics. She cited New York City data during her remarks: "1 in 7 kids of our New York City students report vaping," and noted a 14% vaping rate among high school students compared with a 4% cigarette-smoking rate.

Hagopian described the pilot as beginning with a needs assessment survey for students and parents to establish baseline knowledge and prevalence. The plan calls for physician-led student assemblies targeted at fourth- and fifth-graders, follow-up activities and parent sessions; the Queens Cancer Center will provide slides and QR-code links to city-produced flyers and support resources.

She also noted enforcement gaps in the city's 2020 flavored-vape-product ban: cited inspection data showed that 56% of retailers examined continued to sell flavored products and that violations were concentrated in neighborhoods with younger populations.

The council and parents asked whether the team had already visited schools; Hagopian said the curriculum was still in development and that the project would pilot in one school (Ellington) before broader rollout. She offered to share slides and materials with principals and the council for broader distribution.

"About 52 percent of students who vape indicated they wanted to somewhat or a lot decrease," Hagopian said, adding that student interest in quitting supports school- and family-based interventions.

Councilors said they would forward the materials to principals and asked Hagopian to provide contact information and materials for distribution.