Please join us as we learn about Vaping Use and Prevention from Voice Inc. Voice Inc is a nonprofit that empowers children and their families to lead healthy and productive lives by conducting evidence-based programs that teach critical life skills.
Topic: Addressing Youth E-Cigarette Use as Educators
VOICE (Viable Options in Community Endeavors, Inc) teaches critical life skills and promotes behavioral health and wellness at schools and community sites throughout Central Texas. As the recipient of the largest amount of Youth Prevention funding from THHS (Texas Health and Human Services), VOICE closely follows trends in tobacco, alcohol, and drug use and misuse. We currently see an increase in vaping among youth. According to the National Youth Tobacco Survey, an estimated 34% of high school students (5.22 million) and 11.3% of middle school students (1.34 million) reported ever using a tobacco product in 2021. E-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product. In this session, participants will learn more about e-cigarettes, the harmful effects of vaping, and strategies to address the issue.
Presenter Emily Frueh
Emily Frueh ("Free") is the Coordinator of the VASA Community Coalition. VASA, which stands for Voices Advocating for Substance Awareness, is a program of VOICE. The coalition researches and implements strategies related to the use and misuse of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. Emily earned a Bachelor of Science degree in public health from Baylor University. Her experiences include serving in Houston as a community liaison to reduce food insecurity and as a COVID-19 vaccine distribution coordinator in Waco. In 2021, Emily joined the VOICE team. She is passionate about helping communities become safe and equitable spaces where individuals thrive. Emily loves that she able to align her passion for helping others with her current role.