MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin health officials are warning parents that vaping poses serious risks to young people’s mental health, saying today’s vaping products are more addictive and more potent than ever.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH) has released a new fact sheet highlighting the connection between vaping and anxiety, depression and stress.
“We know more than a third of Wisconsin high school students have tried vaping, and that vaping is being normalized in popular culture,” said OCMH Director Linda Hall. “But young people are especially vulnerable to addiction, so we need to raise awareness of the risks to their mental health now, while they are young.”
The report says many teens believe vaping helps relieve stress, but the opposite is often true. While vaping may provide temporary relief, withdrawal symptoms can increase anxiety and stress, creating what health officials call a “stress spiral” that makes young people feel they need to vape again.
The fact sheet also warns that many vaping devices are designed to look like everyday items, including smartphones, pens, lip gloss containers and gaming devices, making them easier to conceal.
Health officials encourage parents to have open conversations with their children about vaping and to help them develop healthier coping strategies, such as exercising, listening to music or talking with trusted friends or family members. The report also recommends stronger prevention efforts in schools and policy changes aimed at reducing youth access to flavored vaping products.
