Using social media to teach youth about dangers of vaping

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Vaping companies have been accused of targeting teens specifically, but a campaign in Idaho is working to beat vaping companies at their own game.

It's illegal to vape under the age of 21 in Idaho, but studies show one in every five teens have tried vaping.

Know Vape is working with youth to educate about the dangers of vaping.

Social media has been a fertile ground for vape companies to market their products to youth, emphasizing vaping as a safe alternative to tobacco.

But the dangers are very real. 

"Just the amount of nicotine that is involved in one vape is just astounding. It can be as much as 20 cigarettes or more in one single vape," EIPH Health Education Specialist Heather Hansen said.

Alongside nicotine, most vapes contain metals and chemicals that can cause cancer.

“These are young brains, young bones, young lungs. And the impacts that those chemicals and those metals in those flavorings have on a young developing body is disastrous," Know Vape Campaign Executive Producer for IPTV Jennie Sue Weltner said.

Know Vape is trying to fight this epidemic using the same tactics vape companies have.

“We're using, you know, the same sort of tactics that the vape companies used also, which is colors and really cool graphics. And so we're just we're trying to beat them at their own game.” 

Know Vape held auditions to find six influencers to be in commercials and social media posts warning their peers about the dangers of vaping.

"We know from research that the best way to communicate to kids. If you want them to stop risky behaviors, is to have kids talk to kids, peer to peer," Weltner said.

The commercials and social media posts are out now, and the project won't stop here.

There are already plans to make more inspired by ideas from teens next year.

More information about Know Vape, its teen video contest and its documentary about teens who vape can be found here.