​Public health raising awareness of environmental issues this Earth Day

In recognition of Earth Day, which takes place annually April 22, Grey Bruce Public Health is helping to raise awareness of environmental issues as well as the importance of actions to advance climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The global theme of Earth Day 2024 is Planet versus Plastics, which aims to shine a light on the health and environmental impacts of plastic pollution.

To coincide with this theme, public health is drawing attention to the impact plastic and electronic waste from vaping devices (E-cigarettes) has on our waterways, air, and local and global environments.

“For decades, cigarette butts have been the single most-littered item found during beach and shoreline clean-ups,” says Jason Weppler, program manager of health promotion with Grey Bruce Public Health. “While cigarettes and other commercial tobacco products continue to cause great harm to human health and the environment, there is growing concern about how waste from vapes and electronic cigarettes is affecting our planet.”

Reports have shown that 90-million vaping pods were sold in Canada in 2019. The availability of disposable vaping devices has increased since 2019 with disposables being the fastest-growing category of vapes, according to Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada.

Once used, vapes are considered hazardous waste as they contain a lithium battery, circuit board, heavy metals, and, of course, nicotine or cannabis. With few facilities or services available to accept and recycle used vapes, people who vape are left with limited options for disposing of the products in an environmentally-safe way. It is likely many vapes are ending up in landfills along with many other discarded plastics.

“Youth, in particular, are concerned about climate change and the environment,” says Weppler. “Results from the 2019 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey showed 37 per cent of students surveyed are worried about climate change, and another 50 per cent feel depressed about the future because of climate change.

“While the future may be worrisome, we can make a difference by working together toward collective impact. For many youth, taking a stand against vaping for environmental reasons can be a way to feel empowered in a changing world.”

Public health will be using its social media platforms to raise awareness about Earth Day, along with the impact of plastic pollution on the environment.