Dr. Michael D. Mendoza, Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health, urges Monroe County residents to stop using all vape products until an investigation into the definitive cause of recently reported vaping-associated illnesses nationwide is concluded.

“Due to the nationwide trend of severe pulmonary disease associated with e-cigarette products, I am urging county residents to stop using vape/e-cigarette products,” said Mendoza. “In addition to this emerging trend of pulmonary disease, we know that these products represent a real health risk to young people as the nicotine within these products is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development." The full advisory can be found here.

Below are resources parents can use when talking to their child about the dangers of vaping and use of e-cigarettes. Please do not hesitate to contact your child's school counselor, school nurse, High School Prevention Counselor Jillian Peer at (585) 392-1000, ext. 2102.

• CDC Quick Facts on the Risks of E-Cigarettes

• American Lung Association: The Vape Talk