HELENA — As students head back to class, schools are preparing for a familiar challenge — vaping.
Watch how Montana schools tackle youth vaping with education and prevention
“It can really set kids up for a lifetime of addiction,” said American Heart Association state government relations director Jackie Semmens.
Public health leaders say youth vaping continues to be a major concern across Montana — with many kids being exposed to nicotine before they even reach high school.
“Montana still has a really high percentage of kids who are vaping. About 1 in 5 Montana students have used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days, and it’s higher than what we see around the country,” Semmens said.
Health officials say social media, fruity flavors, and colorful marketing continue to make the products appealing to young people.
In East Helena, school resource officer Jeff Stoltz says the devices are still showing up consistently.
“It’s a lot more frequent than anticipated,” Stoltz said.
Stoltz says after spending time on campus, he’s picked up signs of vaping - including common smoke spots or even smells that give it away.
“Bathrooms, right? Because that's a very private spot,” he continued. “They like to use the bathrooms; that’s why the detectors are in there. The flavors that they’re making it has a very distinct fruity smell depending on it. You'll get a waft of that, and you’ll know.”
At the end of the day, while those conversations can be tough both at school and home, staff say they’re here to support students looking to turn over a new leaf.
“They feel the change in their body,” Stoltz said. “They recognize that it's unhealthy and their breathing has changed. They want to quit; they just have to have the willpower to get there.”
School and health officials say the goal this year isn’t just enforcement — it’s education and prevention before more kids pick up the habit.
