FAIRMONT — Vaping has been making headlines across the state, as multiple reports have surfaced of severe lung illness potentially related to vaping and e-cigarette use.

On Aug. 27, the Minnesota Department of Health announced there were 17 cases either confirmed or under investigation.

Steph Johnson, project coordinator for the Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, says vaping has been a main focus of the group. The coalition’s goal is to prevent marijuana, alcohol and prescription drug abuse among youth in Martin County. However, Johnson said community members have been asking the coalition for information and resources on vaping.

“Our mission is to try to get parents to talk to their kids about this and make them realize that it is serious and it is dangerous,” Johnson said. “Companies have marketed for so long that this is the safe alternative to smoking and that it’s not dangerous.”

There have been recent hospitalizations from lung illnesses due to vaping not just in Minnesota, but across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this month that the first person, an Illinois resident, has died as a result of severe lung injuries linked to vaping.

Johnson said the coalition works with the American Lung Association to get materials, statistics and information on vaping. A representative came to Fairmont High School last fall to have a vaping education conversation with the community. They were also at the Martin County Fair this summer to hold another conversation.

Last September, the federal Food and Drug Administration said e-cigarette use among teens is an epidemic. One in five youth currently use e-cigarettes, according to the 2017 Minnesota Youth Tobacco Survey. That is a 49 percent increase since the 2014 survey.

Johnson believes everyone was caught off guard when vaping became such a popular thing among young people, and no one really realized how serious it was. As Johnson points out, a common misconception is that vaping is safe and free of nicotine, but that is not the case.

While the legal age to purchase and use e-cigarettes is 18, Johnson said they know the devices are getting into the hands of younger students as well.

“Every puff on a Juul is like smoking a cigarette as far as the equivalent of nicotine,” Johnson said.

Juul is a popular brand of e-cigarette.

Johnson said these devices were intended to help people quit smoking.

“That’s great if that’s the case, but there’s a huge amount of sales from young people abusing these,” she said.

Johnson said it might be different if there were not so many flavors that appeal to kids, such as cotton candy, mango and mint.

Johnson noted that other substances can be vaped through these devices as well.

“If anyone gets caught with THC oil, that’s a felony. Marijuana and meth can both be vaped,” she said.

“I do think that school officials are already taking it very seriously. We’re doing all that we can to try to keep it out of our schools,” Johnson noted.

However, spotting devices can be difficult as they are disguised as school items, such as flash drives or pens. Johnson spoke of new vaping watches that look just like a smart watch.

Johnson said these products are not regulated by the FDA so it is difficult to know everything about them. While some of these products can be bought in Fairmont, they also can be easily bought online.

“All you need to do is check a box that says you’re 18. But you have to have a credit card, so as parents we have to monitor that,” Johnson said.

A tobacco sales education night will soon take place as a courtesy before tobacco compliance checks will be performed in the community. Johnson said this is the second time the tobacco compliance check will be done. She said that last year all of the businesses passed, which was great.

“But we know that these products are getting into the hands of our kids so we need to be diligent about it,” Johnson added.

She would love to see the community pass T21, which would up the sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21. ClearWay Minnesota reported that 40 Minnesota cities and counties have raised the tobacco age to 21, including Albert Lea, Mankato and St. Peter.

The coalition has a presence in several area schools, including Fairmont, Truman, Martin County West, Martin Luther High School and Granada-Huntley-East Chain. Johnson or other coalition members often drop off flyers and information for students and parents at the schools. They also set up informational booths at different school functions.

“I think we need to give our kids the tools to have the words to be able to say ‘no.’ Peer pressure is hard and we want to educate our kids so they feel like they can stand up against it,” Johnson said.

She said Fairmont High School’s dean of students, Traci Lardy, has been good about educating teachers on what the products look like and their dangers. Johnson also has talked to the bus company after a parent told Johnson their daughter was uncomfortable on the bus because students were vaping around her.

“I think it’s important for people to realize that this isn’t targeting a certain group of kids, it kind of goes across the board. Still, more kids are not vaping than are vaping, but we do have a large amount of kids that are,” Johnson said.

More information on vaping for parents can be found through the Physician Advocacy Network at www.panmn.org

More information for parents or students looking to quit vaping can be found through the American Lung Association at Lung.org