90 percent of youth in Western North Carolina do not use nicotine vapes (youth surveys, 2023).

Nicotine vapes can pose risks to youth who do use them:

• Nicotine is highly addictive, and youth who vape may become addicted more quickly because of higher nicotine concentrations and frequency of use (FDA, Tobacco Free Kids).
• Studies have shown that youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to try regular cigarettes and become regular cigarette users (Tobacco Free Kids).
• Nicotine can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression (Truth Initiative)
  
  

Mountain Strong’s programs to prevent and reduce youth use of nicotine vapes include:

• Ad campaigns aimed at adult caregivers, including parents and guardians
• An ad campaign, currently in development, aimed at youth and highlighting peer non use as a the prevailing norm
• Support for organizations to use AVOID, an interactive, online curriculum shown to be effective at reducing risk for youth vaping
• Presentations