LIBERTY, NY — The Coalition for a Vape Free Sullivan announced that PAVe (Parents Against Vaping e-Cigarettes), the first and only national parent organization fighting the vaping and tobacco industries, will present to Sullivan County schools and communities on Wednesday November 5^th from 4-6pm at the CVI Building in Liberty. Parents Against Vaping is a grass-roots group of parents and concerned individuals committed to protecting children from the dangers of vaping and other flavored tobacco use. The organization shares that over 1.6 million youth are vaping in middle and high schools across the country, with more than 1 in four youth users vaping daily. Almost 90% of youth users are using flavored products. 

The goal of the PAVe presentation is to equip parents, caregivers, educators and school administrators with resources to address vaping and nicotine use fairly, constructively, and with the health and well-being of the young person at the center. They will cover the scope of youth vaping supported by national and state-specific data and provide research-based alternatives to exclusionary practices, such as suspension and expulsion. Reasons teens vape and their impacts will be discussed, along with the youth focused marketing tactics of the tobacco/vaping industry.

Dr. Jessie Moore, Public Health Director for Sullivan County stated, “Tobacco and nicotine use remain major public health challenges, particularly among youth.” 

“Vaping is not a harmless trend. It is a threat to the health and future of our youth,” said Celeste D’Andrea, Monticello High School student.

Attendees on will learn research-based, non-punitive practices—such as education, counseling, and cessation programs that foster healthier choices.  Families struggling with the issue in their homes will connect with others facing the same challenges; and learn how to work together to protect youth from the dangers of vaping and tobacco use. Participants will leave with resources developed by partners of PAVe to help them keep kids vape-free at school and at home. 

This free program is made possible with support from opioid settlement funding administered through Sullivan County. The event is open to all. Pre-registration is required.  

For more information or to register, visit www.sullivan180.org. For questions, e-mail trainings@sullivan180.org or call 845-295-2681.

Sullivan 180 is working to build a healthy community, one degree at a time, through people, places and policy with support from Bold Gold Media Group, The River Reporter, The Sullivan County Democrat, Manor Ink and WJFF Radio Catskill. Learn more at Sullivan180.org.