For Wisconsin Rapids City Times

MARSHFIELD – Reversing almost a decade of progress in youth tobacco prevention, e-cigarette use, commonly called vaping, is on the rise among Wisconsin’s teens.

Marshfield Clinic Health System, through its Center for Community Health Advancement (CCHA), is responding to this trend by providing funding to communities to focus on e-cigarette prevention efforts.

Announcement of this funding was made recently at an “E-Cigarettes and Our Youth: Partners in Prevention” forum in Eau Claire, hosted by CCHA. Attendees included representatives from health care organizations, human service agencies, law enforcement, as well as public health and prevention professionals, school administrators and people who work with youth. Topics were tobacco history and trends, tobacco policy, tobacco’s changing campaign, and youth-led prevention initiatives. Presenters represented The American Lung Association, county health departments and law enforcement.

“Our Health System is very concerned about e-cigarettes, vaping and the health impacts they are having on our youth,” said Jay Shrader, vice president, CCHA. “These funds are one way we plan to support our communities in addressing e-cigarette use. They represent a critical way we can invest in our communities.”

A recent Wisconsin Department of Health Services public health advisory noted that e-cigarette use has skyrocketed from 8 percent in 2014 to 20 percent in 2018 among Wisconsin teens, Shrader said, reversing almost a decade of progress in youth tobacco prevention.

The Health System is offering $500 stipends to community organizations and schools to mobilize discussion and efforts on e-cigarette initiatives, up to a total of $20,000. Organizations may use funding for planning or implementing initiatives, including trainings, education and awareness, policy alignment with state and federal initiatives, treatment or enforcement.

Organizations eligible to apply for grants must be tax-exempt, local government agencies or educational institutions. Proposed initiatives need to be conducted within the Health System service area.

For more information, visit https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/health-system/community-investments. Applications must be submitted by June 21.