Grants to fund e-cigarette prevention and treatment in Kenosha County

It targets efforts through 2025 to address the pressing issue of youth vaping throughout Kenosha County and surrounding areas.

With the VPTI grant, the City Council will work to combat youth vaping by implementing targeted prevention, intervention, and smoking cessation efforts primarily within the Kenosha Unified School District. This includes several community services, including the KRW Tobacco-Free Coalition, Officer Friendly (Tyler Cochran), Kenosha Police Department Safety Center staff, Kenosha County Public Health Nurses, and the United Concerned Citizens Teen Task Force. This is done in partnership with the provider. .

The program is designed to reach young adults and teens and provides cessation support if they already use e-cigarettes, as well as resources and education to help them make informed decisions about e-cigarettes. We also plan to provide

“We are seriously addressing the rising rates of e-cigarette smoking among youth in our community,” said Michelle Sandberg, executive director of Hope Council. “We believe strong partnerships are the key to creating successful programs that can help local youth live healthy, e-cigarette-free lives.”

“With e-cigarette use on the rise in recent years, Kenosha Unified is grateful that so many community partners have come together for such an important cause,” Special Education and Student Support said Director Stacey Guckenberger. “We look forward to working together to educate students in hopes of achieving a healthier future.”

Efforts supported by this grant include implementation of informational/prevention campaigns, frameworks, tools, platforms for peer-to-peer engagement, and several programs developed by the American Lung Association.

“We are grateful for the support of the Wisconsin Department of Homeland Security, our community partners, and most importantly, the Kenosha Unified School District in their continued efforts to address and prevent the harmful effects of e-cigarette use by youth.” Sandberg added. “Together, we can make a meaningful impact and build a healthier future for our children.”

The VPTI grant funding is part of a $14.7 million multi-year JUUL settlement aimed at reversing the harms caused by e-cigarettes. His JUUL Labs, a major e-cigarette manufacturer, is contributing to the settlement. For more information about his JUUL settlement in Wisconsin, visit his DHS website.

For more information about Hope Council and its e-cigarette prevention and treatment efforts, visit hopcouncil.org.