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12 Hudson Valley Parent n March 2019 big problem is that vaping arrived with the misguided message that if it's smoke free, it must be harmless. But experts are pushing back with a definite no - vaping has all the worst aspects of smoking and plenty more. Cristine Groenewegen has navigated the teen years with her own her kids now 18, 23 and 26 and currently works as a community educator for the Council on Addiction and Prevention and Education of Dutchess County. In that capacity she's worked with hundreds of parents anxious to By OLIVIA L. LAWRENCE T he vape trend showed up fast, appearing right out of thin air full of flavors like strawberry, custard, mint and mango. In fact, there are over 7,500 tempting flavors that are perfectly designed to appeal to teens and mask an addictive health hazard. Now parents, educators and health professionals need to address the wave that kids and vape merchants have been riding for a while. One get their kids through adolescence as happily and healthily as possible. Groenewegen describes vaping as an epidemic. An epidemic in the schools Vaping devices include e-cigarettes, which resemble smoked cigarettes, vape pens, which resemble large fountain pens, and advanced personal vaporizers also known as MODS. Ellen Reinhard, director for Tobacco Free Action Communities (TFAC) in Ulster, Dutchess, Sullivan at HealthAlliance Hospital says TFAC Vaping: An epidemic among teens Be aware of the health hazards Schools are finding students in as young as middle school vaping during school hours. Because of the sweet smelling vapors, teens aren't as likely to understand the health hazards of these nicotine products.