EL PASO COUNTY – The El Paso County Board of Health recently signed a resolution that declared teen vaping a “public health crisis” countywide.
The resolution is designed to raise awareness of the problem in an attempt to prevent young people from vaping.
“Teen vaping will not go away on its own. This is why our county Board of Health declared teen vaping a public health crisis,” said Board of Health President Dr. James Terbush in a news release. “We are committed to working collaboratively with our community partners to tackle this issue strategically and effectively.”
Former Gov. John Hickenlooper signed an executive order last November to direct the Department of Revenue to double compliance checks on tobacco and e-cigarette retailers. The order also banned vaping on the grounds of state buildings.
According to the county, nearly half of local high school-age teenagers have tried an e-cigarette. Colorado is last in the country when it comes to vaping among young people.
The county health department said it will work with local schools and law enforcement to reduce illegal underage tobacco sales in El Paso County.
