Medical Minute: Minot health center helps teens quit vaping

First District Health is offering support programs to help teens and adults escape the vape.

The health center says vaping has become an epidemic amongst teens and young adults.

First District Health Unit already has classes to help adults stop smoking. They recently expanded that program to include vaping, a growing trend amongst teens and young adults

The class not only warns attendees of the dangers of vaping, but provides them with resources on how to quit.

Despite many reports of respiratory illnesses following vaping, many still believe it is less harmful than smoking.

Bonnie Riely, who teaches the class, says the use of vaping products have become a national problem, especially for the youth.

Vaping has become an absolute epidemic, and we are trying to do whatever we can to educate the youth and give them resources, and not only for the youth but for the parents. I get calls from parents basically on a regular basis with parents that they don't know what to do," said Bonnie Riely, tobacco cessation specialist.

Riely encourages students under 18 to bring their parents. Classes are held in the conference room of the health center every third Thursday evening of the month from 6:30 to 8:30.