New resource is now available to help teens conquer issues with vaping

(Photo courtesy of the American Heart Association)

This week is Northeast Iowa Tobacco Awareness Week. Thursday will be the nationwide Great American Smokeout, which encourages people to stop using tobacco for the day and to make plans to quit.

Rates of nicotine use among teenagers have been increasing with the prevalence of electronic smoking devices such as vapes. In Iowa, 23 percent of 11th graders used an electronic smoking device in the past 30 days -- up from 9 percent just two years ago.

If you're worried about your teen vaping, you can use "My Life, My Quit," a new resource staffed with coaches who are specifically trained to work with youth ages 13 to 17 years old. Teens may call or text 855-891-9989.