Feedback from statewide listening sessions and surveys recommend how funds should be used

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has awarded 13 grants worth $830,000 over the next two years to community organizations throughout Wisconsin to help address the youth and young adult vaping epidemic. Funding for the Vaping Prevention and Treatment Initiatives (VPTI) grants comes from current payments to Wisconsin as part of a $14.7 million multiyear JUUL Settlement announced by the Wisconsin Department of Justice in September 2022.

The DHS Tobacco Prevention and Control Program hosted virtual statewide listening sessions and online surveys in summer 2023 to gather input from residents about vaping. The data collected helped drive the decision to support local organizations addressing the vaping epidemic, along with statewide efforts already in progress.

"The concerns and ideas shared by Wisconsinites show the impact vaping has in communities across the state," said DHS Secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson. "Through these grant awards, local organizations will protect teens and young adults in their communities from the dangers of nicotine addiction."