Elk and Cameron County schools bring in program to stop vaping in teens

Vaping has always been an issue among high school students, and recent studies show that the issue is increasing in Elk and Cameron Counties.

On Sept. 4, Breathe PA announced that they are teaming up with schools in those counties to bring their smokeless Saturday program to try and help bring down vaping use in those areas.

“It’s a youth based program that’s a diversionary program. We provide education in schools for kids that might be caught with any kind of vaping product or tobacco product,” Director of Programs Rebecca Kishlock said.

A big factor in high schoolers wanted to get involved in vaping devices is the appeal from media that it is safer than smoking cigarettes.

“Prevention education is extremely important. I think sometimes we see the media, we see the idea that this is an alternative that it’s a healthier option when we talk about vaping in comparison to smoking and that’s not the case,” Kishlock said.

Another appeal for students is the new technology that companies bring to the devices. Many devices now have games on them such as Pac-Man and Tetris which is an appeal to students and many devices now are easy to hide with their unique designs.

“The products have adapted. You know, where five years ago we had larger products that you can visibly see. The products are a lot different now some have things similar to a watch. We have things as small as a USB,” Kishlock said.

In a youth risk behavior survey recently done, it showed that 33.8% of high schoolers in Elk County have used a vape product.

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Courts, school personnel, and parents can refer students to the program, and the program fee is $75, which the students pay.

To fill out a referral form or look at the class schedules, you can visit https://breathepa.org/smokeless-saturday/

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