As employers and business leaders in Mesa County, we all share a stake in the health and future of our community. One public health issue that deserves attention is the prevalence of youth vaping.

The widespread use of electronic vapor products has quickly eclipsed traditional cigarette smoking among teens, raising concerns about long-term health, school performance and the workforce of tomorrow.

This is more than just a parenting issue; it’s a community issue. When youth are affected by addiction, health problems or impaired cognitive development, it ultimately impacts schools, workplaces and the local economy. As employers, educators, and neighbors, we all play a role in fostering a healthier future for the next generation.

According to the Community Health Needs Assessment released in 2024, high school students in Mesa County are three times more likely to vape than to smoke cigarettes.

Approximately 15 percent of local students have tried vaping or smoking before age 13, a rate higher than the state average. In the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, 18.3 percent of students in Mesa County said they used an electronic vapor product in the past 30 days, compared to 16.1 percent statewide.

Nearly all e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can cause lasting harm to adolescent brain development. For teens, nicotine use can negatively impact attention, memory, mood, and impulse control, skills that are vital not only for academic success, but also for personal development and future employment readiness.

For reference, one pack of cigarettes contains about 22 milligrams of nicotine, which is about 1 to 1.2 milligrams per cigarette. The amount of nicotine in vaping products can vary anywhere from about 40 to 650 milligrams of nicotine.

Also, because e-cigarette use is a relatively new trend, there are still many unknowns about its long-term health effects.

Many teens and even adults believe vaping is harmless. A common myth is it’s only water vapor, when in fact it often contains dangerous substances, such as benzene, a volatile compound also found in car exhaust.

Another concern is youth access. Despite age restrictions on sales, youth can still acquire vape products.

As Darcy Weir, Mesa County Public Health’s community health planner supervisor, explains, “Youth often gain access through social sources like friends or relatives, bypassing legal restrictions. This highlights the need for broad community awareness and involvement, including from local businesses.”

The Healthy Kids Colorado Survey from 2023, shows among the underage high school students in Mesa County who tried to buy tobacco or vaping products in a store, 87.4 percent of them were not refused because of age. Nearly 47 percent of high school students feel it would be easy to get electronic vaping products if they wanted.

The most effective prevention starts with informed, open conversations.

Weir suggests, “Parents should understand the risks of vaping and the types of products youth are using. Work to build trust. Listen first and approach the topic with curiosity rather than judgment. Then, guide youth in weighing risks and making informed choices.”

Mesa County Public Health provides valuable resources at mesacounty.us/public-health, including tools for prevention and guidance for tough conversations. Another helpful program is My Life, My Quit, which supports teens in quitting nicotine.

We encourage employers to share these resources with their staff. They can also include tobacco-cessation resources in their workplace-wellness programs. Business owners can refer to www.coquitline.org/en-us/for additional resources.

By staying informed and engaged, Mesa County employers can help build a healthier, more resilient future workforce, starting today.

Ryan Pomeroy is a multimedia communication intern at Mesa County Public Health.