Prevention Coalition to host vaping discussion

Prevent Coalition will host a free, public discussion centered around teen vaping from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 30 at the ESD Conference Center, 2500 N.E. 65th Ave., Vancouver.

The public forum will include a panel of youth, prevention experts and school-based law enforcement, according to a coalition news release. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that 1.5 million more students used e-cigarettes in 2018 than in 2017.

That amounted to a 78 percent increase for high school students and a 48 percent increase for middle school students, according to the FDA.

The forum is called “It’s Not Just Vaping: Trends Gaining Steam Among Youth in Clark County,” and it will include personal testimony from local youth, which includes a “former user of vapor products turned tobacco prevention ambassador,” according to the release.

Panelists for the coalition meeting and public forum include: Shane Gardner, manager of school safety and security; Jason Granneman, school resource officer; Deb Drandoff, director of prevention and youth services; Sharice Lee, student assistance professional; and Maddison Langer, Tobacco Free Kids Youth ambassador.

Registration is not required, and light refreshments will be available.