MMMC Heart Surgeon Talks to Students About E-Cigarettes

Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

Students from Waiheʻe Elementary School heard from a Maui heart surgeon about the dangers of smoking and using e-cigarettes during a special presentation last week.

Maui Memorial Medical Center heart surgeon Dr. Tracy Dorheim led the talk on Thursday, May 2, as part of an educational program offered by the hospital.

Officials at MMMC say members of the heart program will make similar visits to various schools throughout the county in the coming year.

Hospital officials said the topic was selected because of increasing usage of e-cigarettes among school-aged children, and lack of information on what chemicals they contain, or how much nicotine is inhaled.

The marketing for e-cigarettes also has hospital officials concerned because of the flavors offered and their potential appeal to kids.

Schools that would like to have a doctor visit are asked to contact Karey Kapoi at (808) 442-5663.