Understanding the Youth Vaping Epidemic: Lawsuits, Trends, and Solutions

Feb 9
As educators and school leaders, it's essential to stay informed about pressing issues affecting our students' health and well-being. One such issue is the alarming rise of youth vaping, a trend that has swept across the United States and Colorado in recent years. In this blog post, we'll delve into the prevalence of youth vaping, the lawsuits surrounding vaping companies like Juul, and how educators can address this concerning trend.

The Rise of Youth Vaping

Youth vaping has become a significant public health concern, with a sharp increase in the number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 3.6 million middle and high school students in the United States were current e-cigarette users in 2020. In Colorado alone, 27.1% of high school students reported current e-cigarette use in 2019, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Lawsuits Against JUUL

Amidst the surge in youth vaping, Juul Labs, one of the largest e-cigarette companies, has faced intense scrutiny and legal action. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Juul, alleging that the company engaged in deceptive marketing practices that targeted young people. These lawsuits accuse Juul of deliberately marketing its products to minors through social media, flavored products, and advertising campaigns that glamorized vaping. In 2023, Colorado announced the state will get nearly $32 million as part of a multi-state legal settlement with Juul, the e-cigarette manufacturer themselves, which helped spark a nationwide epidemic of teen vaping.

Addressing the Issue

As educators and school leaders, we play a crucial role in addressing youth vaping and protecting our students' health. It's essential to educate students about the risks associated with vaping, including nicotine addiction, lung damage, and the potential for long-term health consequences. Research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health emphasizes the importance of comprehensive tobacco prevention programs in schools, which can effectively reduce vaping rates among students. However, many programs are limited in their level of engagement, availability for broad age ranges, variation in modalities, and designs that are not a one-size-fits all approach. 

YESS Academy Solutions

At YESS (Youth Opioid Misuse Prevention Education in El Paso and Teller Counties), we understand the urgency of addressing youth vaping in our communities. That's why we've developed a comprehensive vaping prevention course designed specifically for educators and school leaders. Our course equips educators with the knowledge and resources they need to educate students about the dangers of vaping and implement effective prevention strategies in schools. With our full facilitator guidebook and detailed (yet simplified!) video tutorials, educators can confidently lead discussions and activities that empower students to make healthy choices.

Take Action

To learn more about our vaping prevention course and schedule a demo, visit our website today. Together, we can work towards creating a healthier and safer environment for our students.

Learn more about our Vaping course here:

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Youth and Tobacco Use. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youth_data/tobacco_use/index.htm
  2. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. (2019). Healthy Kids Colorado Survey: E-cigarette Use. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QJCL9OeJ04S_K_BeW46wG8AB3zH6t8VE/view
  3. Allem, J. P., Dharmapuri, L., Unger, J. B., Cruz, T. B., & Babayan, A. (2019). Characterizing JUUL-related posts on Twitter. Journal of Adolescent Health, 65(6), 658-661. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.07.014