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Office of Children's Mental Health


August 4, 2026
Contact: [email protected], 608-266-1683

 

**The Risks of Vaping and Youth Mental Health**

Vaping negatively impacts youth mental health – and the latest fact sheet from the Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH) is alerting parents, educators, policymakers and health providers to the dangers, noting that vaping devices are highly concentrated with harmful chemicals.

Whether nicotine or cannabis, today’s vapes are extremely potent, and therefore, carry a higher risk of addiction. While the brain is still developing – well into a young person’s 20s – it is especially vulnerable to addiction.

“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."

Teens often try vaping thinking it will help relieve stress. However, vaping can worsen anxiety, depression, and stress levels – only deepening youth mental health issues. Vaping may temporarily create a quick feeling of relief, but the withdrawal symptoms increase stress and anxiety, creating a stress spiral – a cycle that makes young people feel like they need to vape again to cope with the stress caused by vaping.


The fact sheet highlights the variety of vaping products – including those resembling smartphones, lip gloss, pens and gaming devices – all designed to be discreet, appealing, and easy to use. It also contains recommendations for how policymakers, parents, educators, and health providers can help reduce youth vaping.

“We need to equip young people with healthy coping skills to prevent this stress spiral. Every young person should identify which coping strategies work for them. Whether it is walking their dog, listening to their favorite music, exercising, or talking with a friend or parent – there are healthy ways for young people to manage the stress of daily life,” Hall said.“Legislators could increase the sales tax on vaping products and put restrictions on fruit and candy flavored vapes, like other states have done. Educators could shape school policies around prevention and stress management and fully support students who are trying to quit. Parents can have short, open conversations with their kids about vaping, and discuss quick ways to turn down a vape. We can all play a role.”

In conjunction with the fact sheet, OCMH released a profile of the work that the Nicotine Prevention Alliance of Central Wisconsin is doing to address youth vaping. Their solutions include working with local school districts to support students rather than suspending them; establishing intervention programs that address teen addiction; and developing vaping prevention strategies with youth themselves to increase credibility. 


* See the full OCMH Fact Sheet: Vaping and Youth Mental Health [ [link removed] ]
* See all OCMH Fact Sheets [ [link removed] ]
* See the OCMH Compilation of Coping Strategies [ [link removed] ]
* See the OCMH Showcasing Solutions: Central Wisconsin Works to Prevent Vaping [ [link removed] ]
* See all OCMH Showcasing Solutions [ [link removed] ]


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