Concerns surround vaping and teenagers

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – If it seems like a number of vape stores have come to your hometown, you’d be right.

They are all over the state.

Many people believe it’s no coincidence that we now have more kids than ever vaping, which as you know poses a very serious and dangerous threat to their overall health and well-being.

Here @ Home speaks with Nancy Hans, Executive Director of the Community Wellness Partnership, about the concerns surrounding these vape pens and why some families are unaware of the true harmful effects of these vape pens on adolescents.

Finding out what chemicals are in the products young people use helps combat industrial mythology and better educate our communities.

Hans explains what is done to investigate and analyze exactly what is in these vaping products. You can find more information here.

Here @ Home also welcomes Cheryl Facciani and Tammy Newcomb from Roanoke County Public Schools to discuss the efforts that have been made to address this concerning new issue of vaping in our schools.

They explain the new law that was passed that can help local areas prevent vape stores from opening near our schools.

As of July 1, 2023, in an effort to protect the most vulnerable and impressionable, a law was passed in Richmond that gives power to local governments, like our BOS, to adopt local rules or ordinances that prevent future vape stores to open indoors. no less than 1,000 feet from our schools, playgrounds and daycares. The goal is to help protect our children, our most precious resources, who are vulnerable and impressionable from exposure to vaping products and nicotine.

Research shows that by reducing exposure it reduces standardization, protects them from outside marketing and reduces experimentation.

They encourage parents, caregivers and other stakeholders concerned about the negative impact of these vape stores on the health and well-being of our children to attend the Roanoke County BOS meeting on November 19 at 7 p.m. hours.