Kane Co. Health Partners With 55 Schools To Address Vaping

KANE COUNTY, IL — The Kane County Health Department and Elgin School District U-46 are partnering to implement a youth vaping prevention program in their 55 schools during the 2024-25 school year.

The KCHD’s youth anti-vaping initiative, Vape Free, Together, aims to bring together students,
schools, parents and tobacco retailers to prevent youth vaping, according to a news release from the health department.

Vaping, which is the inhalation and exhalation of nicotine and other chemicals in vapor from an e-cigarette or similar device, is not considered safe for adolescents or young adults. Nicotine can harm brain development in children and young adults, and most liquids used in vaping devices contain nicotine, according to the news release.

The Vape Free, Together program provides teacher training in a vaping prevention curriculum, parent education opportunities, and tobacco retailer outreach. The initiative is supported by the Illinois Tobacco Free Communities grant administered by the Illinois Department of PublicHealth.

“According to the 2022 Illinois Youth Survey and the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey,
Kane County middle schoolers are vaping at a higher rate than the national average,” said
Michael Isaacson, executive director for the Kane County Health Department. “We are thrilled to partner with U-46 to educate students in their elementary, middle and high schools to tackle this problem.”

Tracey Jakaitis, student wellness curriculum coordinator for Elgin School District U-46, said U-46 is committed to creating a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.

"Addressing the vaping epidemic head-on is a top priority to ensure our schools remain
conducive to academic excellence," Jakaitis said.

More information on the Kane County Tobacco Control and Prevention Program can be found online.