Pittsburg teen says peers vape to "escape" from stress

As someone who runs track at Clayton Valley Charter High School in Concord, 17-year-old Nathan Hill Meza knows that he needs to take care of his physical health to be a successful athlete.This means, unlike some of his peers, Hill Meza has stayed clear of vaping. Flavored tobacco products, celebrities vaping, and products being accessible in communities are some of the many reasons why teenagers have turned to vaping. A February 2021 JAMA Pediatrics report found that around one in five teenagers vape. Black teenagers were initially less likely to use e-cigarettes than their white peers, but Contra Costa County is concerned about the rising number of teens vaping in its communities. Read more at Richmond Pulse.