Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family

Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family

High School Health and Wellness Program Grant Introduces New Programs and PSAs to Fight Vaping Epidemic

November 27, 2018

TEMPE – The FDA says vaping is now an epidemic among teenagers and even middle schoolers. 

Health officials are finding to try to cut down on the problem. It includes plans to ban certain flavors from convenience stores and gas stations.

If the ban is successful, this will leave vape and tobacco shops as the only place to buy them.

Now, school districts across the Valley want to educate their students on the dangers of using vapes or e-cigarettes. 

For example, the Tempe Union High School District has released a series of Public Service Announcements warning their students about using them. 

E-cigarettes are currently come in flavors ranging from chocolate to tropical fruit, which lure teen smokers in.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, most e-cigarettes contain nicotine and other harmful substances. 

Defective e-cigarette batteries have caused some fires and explosions, a few of which have resulted in serious injuries.

Those are some of the reasons why TUHSD wants to address the epidemic. 

This problem is huge as about 2 million students were using e-cigarettes in the last year and that number is only going up.

Arizona's Family has contacted other school districts in the Valley to see what their plans are. 

For more information on TUHSD's new program, visit tempeunion.org/vanishthevape.