Welcome to Drug Safe Utah Education
We are a 501c3 nonprofit that is dedicated to educating and protecting Utah kids and communities from the harms of recreational drug use.

Walt Plumb Letter to Governor Cox
​Veto H.B. 167, S.B. 195, and S.B. 46

​Read Walt Plumb letter to Governor Cox, March 4, 2022.

Utah puts emergency limits on flavored e-cigarettes, as vaping illnesses rise

Starting Monday, only tobacco specialty shops will be allowed to sell flavored e-cigarettes, and they will be required to post notices on the dangers of vaping unregulated THC products, under emergency rules that Utah officials announced Wednesday.
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The rules come the same week state health officials announced a drastic increase in the number of cases of vaping-related illnesses. In one week, the number of confirmed cases in Utah rose from 47 to 71, and 10 more potential cases are under investigation.  Read More

DSU Press Release: New 3% rule on vape pods

In July 2021, The Utah Department of Health was considering a regulation to limit the amount of nicotine in vape pods to 3 percent. Prior to this rule, vape shops and local gas stations sold  vape pods, smaller than the size of a quarter, with concentrated nicotine levels equal to an entire pack of cigarettes. To make matters worse, retailers advertise these pods directly to kids with bright colors, fruit flavors, and bargain prices. Read more.

​Vaping debate returns in Utah; nicotine levels could be cut

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — It was one of the hottest issues in Utah—then COVID hit.
Now the vaping debate is back, over a new proposed state health department rule that would cut nicotine in a “manufacturer sealed electronic cigarette product” from 5% to 3%.
​Attorney Walter Plumb, head of Drug Safe Utah, said he supports the lower nicotine level to protect minors.

Bill would raise Utah vape nicotine limits, give nicotine limiting power back to legislature

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – The debate over vaping is ramping up this legislative session with a bill trying to un-do some vaping restrictions in Utah.
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Over the last few years, the state legislature has given the Utah Department of Health the power to limit nicotine sales and quantities in Utah; now a lawmaker wants to take that power back with S.B. 134. 

Juul Pod = Pack of Cigarettes

Each Utah State Senator was given one of our postcards with real Juul Pod and Cigarette package attached.  See postcard.

Our full page ad in the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune:

Statements from organizations that oppose vaping

CDC: opposes vaping – especially in youth, young adults, and pregnant women:
https://www.aappublications.org/news/2019/09/06/vapingillness090619
 
American Heart Association: We are a relentless force against vaping
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/the-ugly-truth-about-vaping

The American Academy of Pediatrics: The AAP now strongly recommends the minimum age to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, should be increased to age 21 nationwide.
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/aap-press-room-media-center/Pages/Tobacco-and-E-Cigarettes.aspx

U.S. Public Health Service: We must take action now to protect the health of our nation’s young people.
https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov

American Lung Association: Do not use e-cigarettes
https://www.lung.org/about-us/media/press-releases/do-not-use-eigarettes.html

FDA: FDA is committed to protecting future generations by preventing youth access to tobacco products, curbing marketing of tobacco products aimed at youth, and educating teens about the dangers of using any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, as well as educating retailers about their key role in protecting youth.
https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/youth-and-tobacco/2018-nyts-data-startling-rise-youth-e-cigarette-use

American Medical Association: AMA urges public to avoid e-cigarette use amid lung illness outbreak
https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/ama-statements/ama-urges-public-avoid-e-cigarette-use-amid-lung-illness-outbreak

Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products

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Click to read continual updates from the CDC on the current epidemic.

THC Harms Unborn Babies

THC Harms Kids
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug during pregnancy, understanding its risks and impacts on the developing fetus is important. Children born with prenatal exposure of smoked or ingested marijuana suffer higher rates of depression, hyperactivity, and inattention.

Marijuana Research

Rodent and human studies have revealed a multitude of effects starting during gestation and lasting into adulthood.
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Source: Scheyer, A. (2019, January 1). Prenatal Exposure to Cannabis Affects the Developing Brain.
Of all intoxicants used in adolescence, marijuana is the second most widely used. Research has found that adolescents who engage in heavy marijuana use often show disadvantages in neurocognitive performance, macrostructural and microstructural brain development, and alterations in brain functioning. 
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Source: Johnston, L. D., Miech, R. A., O'Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., Schulenberg, J. E., & Patrick, M.E. (2018). Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975-2017: Overview, key findings on adolescent drug use. Ann Arbor: Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan.
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Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family. - Kofi Annan​