Pittsburg, PA

Celebrities on social media fueling vaping among young people

Published

12 months ago

July 18, 2023

Celebrities on social media fueling vaping among young people

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — After decades of warnings that smoking can kill you, there’s a disturbing trend among young people that’s fueled by celebrities and it’s something parents need to be aware of.

KDKA’s John Shumway takes a look at young people and smoking and vaping.

There’s some good news and some bad news, so let’s start with an encouraging word.

“Smoking among young people is at the lowest levels, ever about 2% for cigarette smoking,” said Robin Koval, President and CEO of Truth Initiatives.

Koval says that vaping, however, is another story.

“It’s 14.1% in one recent survey, and actually up a little bit from the last year,” Koval said. “So the issue of young people and tobacco and nicotine is still one that is very, very much of concern.”

And that increase is being driven in part by celebrity images like those on social media and in movies.

“It really normalizes all of these negative behaviors like smoking, drinking, and substance use,” said Sara Banks, Clinical Director of the Cranberry Psychological Center.

Banks says it easily attracts the adolescent to the dangerous habit.

“People are still picking it up because it’s being glamorized in celebrities,” Banks said.

And the puffing is showing up in shows like Stranger Things, among others.

“There wasn’t one series of stranger things where somebody wasn’t smoking, not one,” Banks said.

Koval says that it’s unnecessary and dangerous.

“When young people see smoking imagery in streaming television, for instance, they’re 3 times more likely to start vaping,” Koval said.

You don’t have to look hard to find the smoking and vaping images on Instagram and TikTok and there’s plenty there and it starts right in the wheelhouse of young people.

Locally here in Pennsylvania, metrics are slightly above the national average in both cigarette and vape usage.

When it comes to ways that parents can help their kids stay away from the habit, here are a few suggestions from the experts.

Banks says to remember that you’re fighting peer pressure, so encourage them to immerse themselves in the right friend group.

She also suggests pointing out things how it’s going to give you wrinkles, make you smell bad, and make you less attractive to the other gender.

John Shumway

John Shumway joined KDKA in October 1988 as a General Assignment Reporter. During his years at KDKA, he has anchored the morning and weekend news and is currently a featured General Assignment Reporter on the station’s 4, 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts.

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Pittsburg, PA

A Pennsylvania family experienced tragedy and hope in the NICU. Now they’re helping thousands of others.

Published

4 hours ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

A Pennsylvania family experienced tragedy and hope in the NICU. Now they’re helping thousands of others.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A mission to bless families one miracle at a time began 15 years ago when the Smith family from Erie had twins at UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Gianna and her brother Grady came 14 weeks early, weighing only two pounds. Grady lived for 52 hours. After he passed, Gianna’s condition deteriorated and doctors told them to prepare for another funeral. But then, a miracle happened, according to dad Ryan.

“And we said, ‘man, what an awesome way to tell Gianna’s story of making it through the NICU journey, but let’s honor Grady and his life, and let’s take both of these stories and let’s help one baby at a time,’” he said.

Ryan and his wife received support from people in Pittsburgh during their stay in the city. And the family pledged to pay it forward, creating the nonprofit organization Grady’s Decision. They provide emotional, financial and spiritual support for families with babies in the NICU and families who have babies with special medical needs. From transportation to lodging, to meals and other resources, the nonprofit has already served 3,500 families in northwestern Pennsylvania.

“Fifteen years ago right here in Pittsburgh, we started our journey,” said Smith. “So excited that we’re launching that same mission that we do in northwestern Pennsylvania right here in Pittsburgh.”

Mosaic Wealth Consulting just adopted the nonprofit as its charity partner, holding a client appreciation event as a fundraiser on The Gateway Clipper. Niki Mullinix, an advisor with Astyr Wealth, was a NICU mom herself 12 years ago, and felt the love and support from Grady’s Decision. She pledged to one day help to expand its outreach in Pittsburgh.

“And this is our time! So when we decided, as a team, to adopt Grady’s as a charity, it goes a long way in my heart because Grady’s was actually there for me in my time of need,” Mullinix said.

Smith says the name of the organization comes from a place of heartbreak that turned into hope and healing for others.

“We thought it was our decision to let Grady go. Years later we would realize it was always Grady’s decision to go to heaven so so many other people could be loved,” Smith said.

You can learn more about the campaign at gradysdecision.com.

Kym Gable