WNEM: Health advocates warn parents about vape dangers

The Keep Michigan Kids Tobacco Free Alliance is warning the public of the popularity of vaping devices.

MICHIGAN (WNEM) - The Keep Michigan Kids Tobacco Free Alliance is warning the public of the popularity of vaping devices.

“In Michigan, nearly 14% of high school students actually report using e-cigarettes,” said Dr. Brittany Tayler, pediatrician in Flint and Keep Michigan Kids Tobacco Free Alliance co-chair.

The alliance said the tobacco industry is targeting kids with flavored products, but kids aren’t heeding the warnings about how addictive they can be.

Laura Lemke, the assistant principal at Fenton High School, said aside from the health risks, the devices can also contribute to poor academic performance.

“But aside from the health issues, e-cigarettes and vapes, also, we’ve seen a correlation with poor academic performance, increased absenteeism, and higher dropout rates for our users,” said Lemke. “We see students who have been using e-cigarettes for quite sometime, and they struggle to make it through an entire school day without asking for multiple restroom passes to go and try sneak another hit on their vape.”

The Keep Michigan Kids Tobacco Free Alliance is urging policy-makers to advance the comprehensive tobacco prevention legislative package.

The proposals would end the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and menthol-flavored cigarettes. The package would also tax e-cigarettes and vaping products in the state for the first time, increasing tobacco taxes with proceeds dedicated to reducing tobacco use among youth.

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