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One puff. That’s all it takes. The Sioux Falls School District is joining the fight against the nationwide trend of increased use of vaping products by youth, sadly, some as young as 8 to ten years old. Along with the Sioux Falls Health Department, the District is launching the “Break the Clouds” campaign, adding prevention and education resources for students and families, schools, and the greater community.

The fresh and captivating awareness campaign highlights the harmful effects of vaping – especially on children. With tobacco giants using fruit and candy-flavored nicotine cartridges to target youth, the temptation is real. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s report in 2022, over 3 million high school and middle school students have used tobacco products in the last 30 days.

“Break the Clouds” is an attention-grabbing campaign featuring the stories of vaping truths in Sioux Falls. Along with videos, a website, and posters, “quit cards” will be available in schools when a student faces discipline for having a vaping device. Students will receive a card containing FREE resources to help them quit.

The Vape Free Me Initiative focuses on the harmful effects of vaping on the developing brain. Researchers say vaping can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control – all integral elements that support learning and success in school.

“It’s alarming. Students tell us they can’t make it through an entire school day without vaping because they’re so addicted. This is a community-wide problem. "Schools play a vital role in helping students to quit vaping by raising awareness and connecting families with essential resources. It's crucial for children to be in school to learn, and with the support of community partners, we can help them break free from this harmful habit," underscores Dr. Jane Stavem, Superintendent.

“I see the impact of vaping not only on individual health but also on families and communities. It’s concerning to witness the number of young people falling into nicotine addiction through vaping,” shared Dr. Jennifer Tinguely, Medical Director of Falls Community Health. “By providing education, resources, and support for youth struggling with vaping, we’re not just treating symptoms but working towards preventing long-term health complications.”

The campaign will appear on social media, public access channels KLRN-TV and City Link, and quit cards are now available in all SFSD schools. Efforts begin immediately and are timely before summer break when students have more freedom and less supervision.