Austintown PTA hosts “Live Vape Free” town hall to discuss teen vaping risks and prevention

Key Takeaways

• Austintown PTA held a “Live Vape Free” town hall on teen vaping and e-cigarette harms
• Event funded by the National PTA Vape-Free Futures Challenge Grant, in collaboration with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
• Austintown is one of seven PTAs nationwide that received the grant
• PTA council president said the education focus is on 5th–8th graders and that kids are starting younger
• National Youth Tobacco Survey cited: 2.25 million middle/high schoolers used any tobacco product in 2024, down from 2.8 million in 2023

2Firsts, Feb 26, 2026 – 

According to WFMJ, the Austintown Parent Teacher Association hosted a “Live Vape Free” town hall to discuss the dangers of vaping devices among middle and high schoolers.

The report said the event was funded by the National PTA Vape-Free Futures Challenge Grant for organizations that raise awareness of the negative health effects of vaping devices and e-cigarettes through grassroots advocacy. Austintown was one of seven PTAs nationwide that received the grant from the National PTA in collaboration with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

PTA council president Mandy Maloney Richmond (Mandy Maloney Richmond) said the PTA’s goal is to educate 5th through 8th graders, adding: “It’s really difficult because the kids are starting younger and younger.”

The report cited the National Youth Tobacco Survey, which said 2.25 million middle and high schoolers reported use of any tobacco product in 2024, a drop from 2.8 million in 2023.

Social workers with the Educational Service Center of Ohio (ESC) presented the dangers of nicotine products as well as prevention tips, the report said. ESC social worker Alyssa Armeni (Alyssa Armeni) said vaping can cause brain damage, breathing problems, and poor oral health, adding that medical professionals have found it affects brain growth and understanding. Armeni also said many nicotine companies target younger audiences through colorful advertisements and flavored vapes.

Armeni said the best way to avoid nicotine addiction is not to begin and that teens need to discourage their peers from vaping, adding: “We just want them to be a leader by helping and showing how to stop vaping,” the report said.

Austintown resident Danielle Feezle (Danielle Feezle), who is also a parent, said she believes children generally lack knowledge about the dangers of vaping devices and e-cigarettes. “They all know cigarettes are bad, but they don’t seem to think that vapes fall into that category,” she said.

The report said the Austintown PTA plans to introduce children in the school district to the dangers of nicotine products in the near future.

Image source: WFMJ