There are three types of people in Jefferson County, and the country at large – those who vape, those who have heard of vaping but know little about it, and those to whom vaping is a complete unknown.
The last category takes in many people over the age of 35. The first category, unfortunately, takes in many who are under the age of 21.
There are about 20 independent vape vendors in Jefferson County, with more springing up. Vapes (e-cigarettes) are becoming ever more accessible, even being sold in many convenience stores, gas stations and supermarkets.
Since its introduction in 2003, vaping has become a massive hobby among millennials and teenagers. Why is this and what can be done about it?
Answers to those questions are complex, but the Leader Teen Advisory Board has done its best to tackle them, using research, interviews with local professionals who are addressing the problem, and the creation and distribution of a survey asking hundreds of local teenagers for their opinions.
Younger people are confronted by the vaping phenomenon every day, while the adults in their lives may be entirely unaware of it.
Schools are just now starting to crack down on vaping as they did in decades past when students were hooked on cigarettes.
However, vapes are not cigarettes, and the health effects of vaping are still largely unknown. Will devastating effects be apparent in years to come? That’s a serious question with no clear answer.
Please explore this important topic by reading the Teen Advisory Board’s stories and columns. It’s a place to start.
