Volition Franklin Seeks To Raise Awareness About Youth Vaping

Franklin WI

15 December, 2021

12:44 PM

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FRANKLIN, WI — The percentage of youth in America and Franklin that use nicotine and illicit drugs has dropped during the pandemic, a national Monitoring the Future survey found. Many youths still use nicotine vapes, though, and Franklin health leaders are seeking to raise awareness about the continued youth vaping epidemic. Around 2 million youth in America reported they use e-cigarettes. Of those that use e-cigarettes, 85 percent said in a national survey they use flavored vapes and 53 percent said they use disposable vapes. The Franklin Health Department and Volition Franklin, a local youth substance misuse prevention coalition, are seeking to continue to raise awareness about the harms of e-cigarette use. "It may not have been reported on as much over the past 18 months, but the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use did not go away through the course of quarantine," Franklin Health Department's Ellen Henry said in a news release. "There are so many ways these products appeal to youth, whether it's flavors like strawberry, gummy bear, and mango, shiny packaging, or even the fact that the small, sleek nature of these devices make them easy to conceal in hoodies or backpacks. We've got a lot of work to do to turn these numbers around." Franklin health leaders warn that despite the flavors, vapes still carry risks for young people. The nicotine in e-cigarettes can damage the part of adolescent brains that controls learning and memory, plus youth who use vapes are more likely than their peers to become regular cigarette smokers, the Franklin Health Department and Volition coalition news release said. To combat the continued epidemic of youth nicotine use, Franklin health leaders have shared resources for those looking to reduce the harm vaping may cause. The local organizations "continue to educate young people about the harms of e-cigarette use, but we also want them to know that quitting is possible," Henry said. One resource that people can use is the Live Vape Free text line. Teens can access free help by texting VAPEFREE to 873373. Parents and guardians can also learn about commercial tobacco products that attract youth use through tobaccoischanging.com. Adults looking to quit tobacco also have resources available. The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line can be reached at 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free help.