Public health reports vaping survey: many students start young, education planned at Muskyfest

Joyce Knowlton of Sawyer County Public Health presented the results of a vaping survey given to middle and high school students and described a related education campaign. "We had between 354 students respond," Knowlton said, reporting that many respondents who vaped started between ages 11 and 13 and that "20 percent of them started between the ages of 5 and 10."

Survey responses indicated use patterns and perceptions the department found concerning: 36% of respondents who vape said they used a vape one to three times per day, and 27% reported vaping more than 20 times per day. When asked what was in their vapes, 55% said nicotine, 20% said THC and 2% said meth; Knowlton said most vapes contain nicotine and that students often underestimate nicotine content.

Public Health said education emphasized health effects, addiction potential and the presence of toxic aerosols in vapes, and described planned outreach during community events including Muskyfest, where staff will hand out informational materials and small promotional items. Knowlton said the county will distribute a vaping education coloring book to younger children during Red Ribbon Week and will share quitting resources and teen-targeted cessation supports.

The presenter said roughly 18% of students reported current or past vaping—close to national averages—and that the county will continue partnerships with schools and community organizations to expand the education effort.