American Lung Association Launches Vape-Free Schools Scholarship Fund

In Alabama, more than 26% of high school students use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. We are proud to share that today, the American Lung Association in Alabama announced the Vape-Free Schools Scholarship Fund, a new effort to fund schools’ implementation of the Vape-Free Schools Initiative so that more kids can access cessation, support and education.

The scholarship drive seeks to raise funds to give schools across the country access to the program. With a cost of $400 per training seat, the goal is to raise $400,000 to serve 1,000 schools in need by the end of 2021. Through this scholarship drive, the Lung Association will enable faculty and students in Alabama to access the Lung Association’s proven vaping intervention and cessation programs.

“With most kids returning to in-person learning this fall, more students may experience social pressure to vape, while others may begin to vape in response to stress, including stress related to ongoing global pandemic,” said Ashley Lyerly, director of advocacy for the Lung Association in Alabama. “It is critical to address the e-cigarette epidemic on the school level and provide programs to help the students directly. Our new Vape-Free Schools Scholarship Fund will help the schools and the students who have the greatest need.”

The Vape-Free Schools Initiative provides school administrators and educators with training to offer an alternative-to-suspension program for students found vaping, smoking or chewing on school property, and a voluntary vaping/tobacco cessation program for youth wanting to quit for good. 

• Alternative to Suspension (INDEPTH®) an alternative for students who face suspension for violating school vaping and tobacco use policies. As teens continue to get hooked on vaping, this is a supportive program that teaches students about nicotine dependence and establishing healthy boundaries, rather than focusing solely on punitive measures.
• Vaping Education & Tobacco Cessation Program (Not-On-Tobacco® N-O-T) is a teen smoking/vaping cessation program for students that want to quit. The 10-session program provides the tools, information, and support for teens to end their addiction to tobacco. Participating schools will be recognized as part of the American Lung Association Vape-Free Schools Initiative in their communities.

To make a donation, visit Lung.org/scholarship. To get more information about the Vape-Free Schools Initiative or submit your school for scholarship consideration, visit Lung.org/vape-free-schools or contact [email protected]. To speak with a lung health expert about e-cigarettes and vaping cessation, contact Jill Dale at [email protected] or 312-940-7001.