E-cigarette use down in high school students
COLORADO. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) says that e-cigarette use in colorado among high school students decreased by 10 percent since 2019, according to the recently released Healthy Kids Colorado Survey.
The CDPHE says that cigarette use among high schoolers is down from 6 percent to 3 percent.
“The latest data is encouraging,” said Natalya Versheure, Tobacco Program Manager at CDPHE, “but there’s still more work to do. We recommend that parents, schools, and communities continue to encourage youth to make healthy choices and reinforce tobacco-free habits.”
The percentage of kids who used vapes because they are flavored increased, according to the CDPHE. Data also suggests that youth are experimenting with vapor products at a very young age.
CDPHE runs a number of programs aimed at helping Colorado youth quit tobacco. Young people between ages 12 and 18 can access free, confidential support to quit smoking or vaping by texting “Start My Quit” to 36072 or clicking here for more information. Those looking to support someone who is trying to quit using tobacco can find tips and more information here.
In addition, the department supports communities working to limit children’s and youth’s exposure to tobacco advertising and access to tobacco through its State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership grant program.
