Mapleton secures grant to combat youth vaping through comprehensive prevention program 

Mapleton Public Schools has been awarded a Vaping Prevention Education grant of nearly $37,000 annually for three years from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). The grant program, made possible from a large settlement with e-cigarette manufacturer Juul Labs Inc., for deceptive marketing to target youth, is intended to combat the youth vaping crisis in the state.  

The district will use the funds from the grant to implement a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to combat youth vaping. First, Mapleton will prioritize staff training by hiring a vaping prevention expert, certified by the American Lung Association, to conduct two full-day training sessions. These sessions will equip health assistants, culture coaches, and mental health providers with evidence-based tools to address vaping prevention and cessation effectively. 

In addition to staff training, Mapleton will hold four Parent Education Nights throughout the school year, roughly once per quarter. These events will be offered in English and Spanish, and will educate parents about the dangers of vaping, how to recognize signs of vaping in their children, and provide strategies to discuss this issue with them. This ensures that parents are well-informed and involved in their children’s well-being. 

Mapleton will also establish an “alternate to suspension” program for students caught vaping. Rather than facing punitive measures, students will participate in educational and supportive interventions designed to help them quit vaping and understand its health risks. 

Finally, the district will launch a district-wide wellness campaign that will include anti-vaping messaging. This campaign will use visual materials, social media ads, and other media to raise awareness and promote healthier behaviors among students. 

This initiative aims to reduce student suspensions related to vaping by 20% and decrease repeat offenses, ultimately fostering a healthier school environment. In a 2023-24 survey of nearly 600 Mapleton students, more than half identified smoking and vaping as the top health issue in their schools.