MADISON (WKOW) — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Office of Children’s Mental Health is pushing for parents, educators, policymakers, and health providers to take note of the dangers vaping has on kids.
“Legislators could increase the sales tax on vaping products and put restrictions on fruit and candy flavored vapes, like other states have done. Educators could shape school policies around prevention and stress management and fully support students who are trying to quit. Parents can have short, open conversations with their kids about vaping, and discuss quick ways to turn down a vape. We can all play a role,” said OCMH Director Linda Hall
Many kids start vaping to relieve stress, but the office put out a new fact sheet to highlighting dangers, like worsening anxiety, depression and stress levels with high-potency nicotine products.
“We need to equip young people with healthy coping skills to prevent this stress spiral,” Hall said.
It also highlights that vape products can look like mundane items, such as smartphones, lip gloss, pens, and more.
“We know more than a third of Wisconsin high school students have tried vaping, and that vaping is being normalized in popular culture,” said Hall. “But young people are especially vulnerable to addiction, so we need to raise awareness of the risks to their mental health now, while they are young.”