Culver, Indiana WNDU – Even kids as young as third grade are getting access to vapes, according to Indiana’s state health commissioner. That’s a concerning issue, but in Marshall County, students are stepping up to fight back by pledging to stay vape-free.
The state’s health website shows that around 20% of Indiana high school students used e-cigarettes in 2021. To tackle this problem, schools are starting early by teaching kids about the dangers of smoking and vaping.
At Culver Elementary, fourth graders are learning about the harmful effects of nicotine, found in cigarettes and vapes. On Tuesday, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver visited the school to support their efforts.
Dr. Weaver explained why early education is crucial. “Vapes are small and easy to hide, so kids are getting them. We want to talk to them about the dangers before they get addicted,” she said.
Gov. Holcomb praised the state’s Health First” program, which provides resources to schools to reduce smoking rates. This is where change begins. It will take time, but as more young people stay smoke-free, we’ll see progress, he said.
The students also made the message fun by designing T-shirts for the governor’s visit. Fourth grader Kynedi Ogle’s winning design had a clear message: Clean Air Zone. No Smoking. No Vaping.
Gov. Holcomb said he hopes the message inspires others. When a fourth-grader promotes staying vape-free, it’s the coolest thing, he said.