Local Taskforce Tackles Youth Vaping in Lorain County

The Lorain County Vaping Task Force is working to further investigate youth vaping in the county. The goal of this group is to prevent youth tobacco use, to encourage tobacco users to quit, and to reduce harm around tobacco. Vapes and e-cigarettes contain nicotine derived from tobacco, and so the National Youth Tobacco Survey categorizes use of these products as tobacco use. Lorain County Public Health, healthcare and hospital networks, mental health and substance abuse agencies, school districts, the Educational Service Center, the Avon Lake Public Library, local media, law enforcement, and the Lorain County Metro Parks established the Lorain County Vaping Task Force at the end of 2019.

According to the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey, 53.3% of high school students and 24.3% of middle school students report that they’ve tried tobacco products at least once; 31.2% of high school students and 12.5% of middle school students reported that they’re current users. Locally, this issue exists here too. “According to the 2018 PRIDE Survey, data shows that in Lorain County, the rate of e-cigarette use by youth has tripled in the past five years,” explains Erin Murphy, Program Manager, Lorain County Public Health. “That’s why it’s so critical to have a strong group of partners addressing this issue together.”

The Lorain County Vaping Task Force conducts in person and video meetings to review local data trends. The partners work together to address the items in their action plan, such as: introducing a comprehensive educational campaign for schools; spearheading a media campaign for youth; working with healthcare providers to develop best practice professional development and training specific to youth vaping; and implementing comprehensive tobacco free policies throughout Lorain County.

For local, up-to-date information on COVID-19, visit LorainCountyHealth.com/coronavirus. For more information on how we make your health & safety our priorities, contact Lorain County Public Health at 440-322-6367 or visit LorainCountyHealth.com. Follow your local health department on Twitter @LorainCoHealth, Facebook, or YouTube.