Vaping is beginning to be an issue in Winneshiek County

Helping Services for Youth & Families staffer Tessa Willie says the county is beginning to feel the impact of vaping.

Willie told Winneshiek County officials Monday that she estimates 25 percent of students at Decorah, South Winneshiek and Turkey Valley have used vaping cigarettes in the past month.

The use of the e-cigarettes, as they are called, is concerning prevention specialists.  While adults might not show the effects of using e-cigarettes that much, several studies have linked the use of vaping to health issues in teenagers.

Willie says the e-cigarettes which are mint-flavored or menthol-flavored are of particular concern to health experts because of their appeal to younger people.

Willie is giving a presentation November 19th at Notre Dame Elementary School in Cresco about the dangers and effects of vaping.  The event at 6:00 p.m. that day is open to mentors, parents/guardians, educators, youth leaders, and the community.