Health officials report a spike in vape and e-cigarette usage among teens

"Escape the Vape"

MARYLAND – Statistics may be going down, but smoke clouds are blowing up according to officials who say they’ve seen a spike in teen tobacco use.

A 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows a significant drop in the number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes. They report fewer adolescents are vaping this year than at any point in the past decade, but is that the case on the Eastern Shore?

Smoking in Schools

Kaitlin Galow is the Tobacco Coordinator for the Wicomico County Health Department. She says that Wicomico County Tobacco program is used when a student violates a school’s guidelines. “They are referred to me with hopes that they get educated on the dangers of using these devices, versus just simply putting them in suspension or disciplining them… We did see an increase in tobacco violations in the school, so we’ve gotten, we got approximately 40 referrals last academic year. ”

She says teens are attracted to the many flavorings which lures them in and because they are addictive, students are getting in trouble during school hours. “These devices have so many different designs on them. Some look like regular school material such as highlighters, or USB’s.”

“Escape the Vape”

Worcester County Health Department reports students are using e-cigarettes at 18% which is higher than the state average, saying quote “Worcester County data shows middle school use at 7.9% (2021, YRBS) in comparison to the state average of 5.2%. Data shows that Worcester County high school students use ESDs at a higher rate 18.0% (2021, YRBS) than the state average of 14.7%. Worcester County shows higher rates of youth using Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs) in comparison to the Maryland state average.

Clearly, efforts to address youth vaping and ESD continues to be a county focus. The WCHD is proactive in raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco and vape products primarily, amongst youth through health messaging, education, program and services. Through a strong partnership with Worcester County Public Schools education and youth advocacy training is continually offered through school-based programs and activities. This includes working with youth that are a part of the Worcester County Youth Council and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

Students that participate in these groups serve as leaders in their schools and within the community. “It’s really nice to see students who want to step up and serve as advocates, in their community.” Student voices are important, especially, when you have youth taking a stand not to use tobacco and vape products. They are spreading the word to their peers. The motto that is shared is “Be Smart. Don’t Start” and “Escape the Vape”. The WCHD offers youth tobacco and vape quit programs, for youth ages 13-17. Programs are designed to help youth quit these unhealthy behaviors through evidence-informed and holistic educational approaches. ” End quote.

Do the Right Thing

However, officials attributed the big drop in vaping to recent age restrictions and more aggressive enforcement against retailers and manufacturers is helping curb the issue.

Sheriff Matt Crisafulli of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office says minors caught with tobacco products, is civil not criminal, but for the establishments it’s a different story. “We conducted last year 167 compliance checks with the business throughout Worcester County and out of those 167 checks, there were 17 that failed…That includes electronic smoking devices such as vapes”

Sheriff Crisafulli says the goal is to encourage them to do the right thing. “They would be contacted by the department of juvenile services, the health department, the parents would be contacted. And they would look for, you know, counseling and education and maybe community service.”

Police remind students to contact a teacher or a local school resource officer if they see someone vaping or smoking at school. The Health Department says they have many resources to help people quit, you can visit their website or call the national hot line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Moving forward, both officials say they remain steadfast in their mission to make vapes vanish when it comes to underage use.