Youth learn anti-vaping message

Editor's note: Sarah Williamson, a public health educator with the Erie County Health Department, recently met up with local youth to share an anti-vaping message with them. Here's an excerpt from that lesson. SANDUSKY — The burden of nicotine addiction is an issue that negatively affects all aspects of life for those who reside in Erie County. In particular, the youth of Erie County face the stress and peer pressure to pick up nicotine. Throughout the recent weeks, I gave 10 presentations on the dangers of vaping to local schools and youth groups. This occurred, in large part, from a state grant, provided by the Ohio Department of Health, which supports efforts preventing youth from smoking and getting addicted to nicotine. I would test them on their basic knowledge of vaping first and then lead into the lesson and then the youth were tested again to see if their awareness of the issue has changed. All of the kids that I interacted with proved to gain positive knowledge on why it is important not to ever use nicotine. Recently, a group of 12 local youth from low socioeconomic status and African American communities gathered to participate in an Art for Advocacy project at the Sandusky Library. The kids ranged in age from 14 to 16 and are part of a partnering organization, Erie County Family and Children First. This organization serves to provide stability and support within the family unit. Partner Tory Yarbro recently joined the organization as the youth outreach specialist, so I was able to recruit my youth from his various teen groups. He has a boys group that meets every Saturday where I would often offer nicotine education and activities. At the library, I brought ample paint, brushes, markers and canvases for them to make their artwork with. We started off with a short presentation on what to expect from the project and launched right into creating. The youth successfully painted for two hours to advocate against the vaping epidemic by creating thought-provoking images of vapes with anti-vaping messages and text within the compositions. People can learn more about anti-vaping by emailing swilliamson@echdohio.org or calling 419-626-5623, ext. 5268.