• Four out of five adolescents who have started tobacco started with a flavored product.
• Some popular brands of disposable e-cigarettes contain as much nicotine as 20 cigarettes.
• Vapes and e-cigarettes contain other harmful substances in addition to nicotine, such as nickel, chromium and lead.
• Nicotine changes the way adolescent brains function.
• In a 2018 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) survey, 37% of adolescents reported they were using an e-cigarette product.
• In 2017, 1 in 14 Oklahoma adults and 1 in 6 Oklahoma high school students reported vaping.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2017
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 2017
• The Chickasaw Nation has a higher tobacco use rate than the State of Oklahoma, with 25% of the population reporting being tobacco users. Of those who use tobacco, approximately 8% use e-cigarettes or vapes.
  • Chickasaw Nation RPMS

Vapes often come in colorful options and flavors, appealing to young users. Like cigarettes, vapes contain nicotine. Nicotine is addictive and, without help, can make teens dependent on the drug for life. Introducing nicotine to adolescent brains can cause:

• Learning difficulties
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Impulsivity
• Irritability

Vaping can also increase the risk of other types of addiction later in life.

What to Look For:

If you are unsure if your child is vaping, these are a few signs to look for:

• Artificially sweet smells
• Nosebleeds
• Increased thirst
• Caffeine sensitivity
• Unfamiliar batteries or chargers

Here are some additional resources for parents/guardians:
CDC Guidance: What parents need to know about vaping
Quick Facts for Parents: Risks for Kids, Teens, Young Adults
E-Cigarette/Vape Visual Dictionary: How it’s made, how it works

One of the best ways to prevent your child from vaping is to keep the conversation around vaping and drugs open. By talking with your child, you are informing them of the dangers and effects vaping and other drugs can have on their physical and mental well-being. In addition to talking with your child, keep yourself informed about current trends, including new vape brands that arise in markets.

For more information about the impact vaping and smoking can have on your child, visit the CDC’s website.

Primary Care

Your primary care health team is your partner in lifelong wellness. From annual checkups, to minor aches and pains, to injuries, illness and everything in between, the Chickasaw Nation Primary Care Clinic is your first call for health and wellness concerns.

We value you as a patient and our goal is to work together to facilitate a relationship that provides you with the highest quality of comprehensive care. Let us get to know you as you navigate good health through all seasons of life.

Locations

Your nearest primary care clinic looks forward to serving you and your health needs. Please call to schedule an appointment or for more information about available primary care services at your preferred clinic:

• Chickasaw Nation Medical Center: (580) 436-3980
• Ardmore Health Clinic: (580) 222-2950
• Purcell Health Clinic: (405) 527-4700
• Tishomingo Health Clinic: (580) 371-2361

To protect your privacy, appointments, prescription refills or test results cannot be given via email or other messaging methods. Please call your preferred clinic for assistance.

Pediatrics

For every childhood ailment, injury or concern, the Chickasaw Nation offers pediatric services at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center and all three satellite clinics. You have an expert on your team with pediatric primary care. Visit for well-child and sick child exams, immunizations, sports physicals and referrals to specialty clinics as needed. Our pediatricians and nurses are trained to provide superior care to newborns, children and young adults.

Locations

Your nearest pediatric primary care clinic is ready to help your growing family. Please call to schedule an appointment or for more information about available pediatric primary care services at your preferred clinic:

• Chickasaw Nation Medical Center: (580) 436-3980
• Ardmore Health Clinic: (580) 222-2950
• Purcell Health Clinic: (405) 527-4700
• Tishomingo Health Clinic: (580) 371-2361

To protect your privacy, appointments, prescription refills or test results cannot be given via email or other messaging methods. Please call your preferred clinic for assistance.

Prevention Services

Prevention services works to improve the overall health and quality of life for Chickasaw citizens, families and communities by promoting emotional well-being and reducing mental illness and substance use problems through education.

Prevention services provide education to all Chickasaw Nation employees, citizens, general public and non-tribal agencies upon request.

For assistance Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., contact Chickasaw Nation Prevention Services: (580) 436-7212.

For 24/7, free and confidential assistance, call the following numbers:

• National suicide prevention lifeline - (800) 273-8255
• Veterans crisis line - (800) 273-8255 and press 1
• Problem gambling helpline - (800) 522-4700
• The Oklahoma tobacco helpline - 1 (800) QUIT NOW or 1 (800) 784-8669

Zero Suicide is a commitment to suicide prevention in health and behavioral health care systems. It is both a concept and a practice being implemented by the Chickasaw Nation.