COLORADO, USA — Colorado schools and non-profits are using money from a settlement to help combat youth vaping. Back in 2018, Colorado youth were vaping at twice the national average , according to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE). Since then, survey data shows improvement in those numbers.
But, schools are saying nicotine in the classroom is still a huge distraction for students. Out of 600 students surveyed at Mapleton Public Schools, 53% named vaping and smoking as the number one health issue they face at school. They're one of 42 school districts across the state getting funding from the Colorado Attorney General's Office to combat the youth vaping crisis.
"Parents need to know that so many students, middle school, high school students are more isolated, are more disconnected, lonely, than ever," said Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General. "When young people are not in a good place, they're more prone to making dangerous choices. Turning to vaping is dangerous.
" The Attorney General's Office is distributing $17.4 million to schools, government entities, and non-profits. That money comes from a settlement with Juul Labs, Inc.
The AG took them to court for marketing a highly addictive product to children . "What we hope we can do is build healthier school cultures, where young people know that those in school, those in the community, care about them and that before they make decisions about turning to vaping or other substances, they talk to.