FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 8, 2026
Media Contact: Efrat Dallal Stein
Email: [email protected]
Cook County Department of Public Health Launches “Ditch the Cloud” Campaign to Help Youth Learn the Truth About Vaping
Youth-informed awareness campaign brings vaping education to schools, digital platforms, and communities across suburban Cook County.
BRIDGEVIEW, IL – Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) is launching “Ditch the Cloud,” a new youth-focused vaping prevention campaign designed to raise awareness about the health risks of vaping and help young people make informed decisions about nicotine use.
“Many young people view vaping as low risk, but the reality is that most vaping products contain highly addictive nicotine and other harmful chemicals. Youth we’ve spoken with told us they want honest information about vaping and its effects on their health,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer of Cook County Department of Public Health.
“This campaign was developed to meet young people with facts, not fear. We want young people to understand that vaping can have immediate consequences, while also ensuring they know support is available if they want to quit.
While e-cigarette use among youth has declined in recent years, vaping remains an ongoing public health concern. National data show that 95% of smokers start before the age of 21.
In 2024, the Suburban Cook County Youth Risk Behavioral Survey found 8.5% of Cook County students in the ninth through 12th grades reported current e-cigarette use, down from 16% in 2022. Of those, use was significantly higher among 12th grade students, with 14% reporting current use.
Nationally, an estimated 1.6 million middle and high school students continue to use e-cigarettes, according to the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey . Overall e-cigarette monthly unit sales in the U.S. increased by 46.6%, from 15.5 million units in January of 2020, to 22.7 million units in December of 2022.
The campaign also comes as youth vaping continues to be fueled by widespread misinformation and new and evolving marketing tactics and products developed to be especially appealing to young people. Many young people mistakenly believe vaping is harmless or significantly safer than smoking cigarettes, despite growing evidence that vaping can negatively affect brain development, mental health, mood, memory, lung health, and increase the risk of nicotine addiction.
Conversations with suburban Cook County youth ages 12 to 24 were conducted in 2026 to better understand why young people start vaping, quit vaping, or choose never to vape, as well as their perceptions of vaping. Insights from these discussions helped shape the campaign. Participants expressed concerns about nicotine addiction and said they want more information about the health effects of vaping. Many respondents also said they prefer learning about vaping prevention in school settings, where they can access trusted information and resources.
“They think it’s a better alternative to smoking—it could be healthier because it’s just some water vapor. Starts as something cool to try and then it does turn into an addiction,” said one youth respondent.
Another youth respondent said, “Vaping seems like a little less harmful [than cigarettes]… But the harmful effects are still there. One in terms of addiction. Two, you’re breathing stuff into your lungs that isn’t air and not what your lungs need; so I’m assuming you’re probably deteriorating some stuff.”
Ditch the Cloud includes social and digital advertising, influencer partnerships, bus shelter ads, educational materials, and a school-based awareness initiative in suburban Cook County high schools. CCDPH will provide schools with resources, including a soon-to-be-launched peer-to-peer video featuring local high school students sharing honest perspectives on vaping, addiction, and making informed choices.
Campaign materials debunk common myths about vaping and highlight the immediate and long-term health effects of nicotine use. From brain fog, anxiety and addiction, to impacts on mental and physical health.
Ditch the Cloud also connects youth to free, confidential cessation resources. Young people interested in quitting nicotine can text “Start My Quit” to 36072.
To learn more about vaping prevention and access campaign resources, visit www.ditch-vaping.com
###