NEW PHILADELPHIA (Tusco TV) - Tuscarawas County public health and anti-drug coalition officials are joining forces to get parents up to speed on youth vaping and its dangers.

The two groups are hosting a free community forum called “What’s Parents Need to Know About Vaping” tomorrow evening from 6:30 to 8 pm in the Kent Tuscarawas Science and Technology Center. Coalition Coordinator Jodi Salvo says it’s “must-attend” for concerned parents.

"Vaping is pervasive in Tuscarawas County. It is pervasive in our state and our nation, and I think it’s clear there are some negative impacts to vaping that we need to be aware of. We need to know what we’re looking for. We need to know how to talk to our kids," she says.

Salvo says there will be a panel of local experts on-hand to share insights and health risk information, and parents will also get to check out some commonly-used vaping devices. 

"In fact, our youth is going to be the one that’s going to be showing parents what vaping devices look like the kids are using in the community. We will also be passing them around during the event. It is helpful because some of them really do look like flash-drives and it’s kinda hard to discern they’re a smoking device," she says.

Salvo says the forum will be held in Room 126 and also includes an information fair to highlight the local resources available to help kids struggling with nicotine addiction. 

TUSCO TV