The surge in youth vaping is no minor concern — it’s a full-blown crisis. In Belmont County Juvenile and Probate Court, Judge Al Davies spells it out clearly: “Vaping is out of control. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, it gets worse, and it’s so unhealthy.”

Davies notes half of all suspensions in Belmont County’s public schools this year stem from vaping. That should concern every parent.

What’s especially alarming is not just the volume of incidents, but the tenor of the messaging around them. Motivational speaker Trevor Tripp described how students often view smoking a vape, popping a pill, or taking a drink as “just a fun, casual activity,” unaware that addiction is “right around the corner.”

Tripp also said traditional fear-based tactics — “putting a finger in their chest” — no longer work on youngsters. Instead, he advocates giving young people the facts and letting them make informed decisions.

That’s smart, as this isn’t just about nicotine or a single fad device. It’s about stopping a habit before it begins. Any approach that treats vaping like a harmless rite of passage or a lesser evil compared to smoking misses the point.

Local schools, courts and community groups are stepping up, but the challenge is overwhelming. Parents, schools, community members all have a role to play to ensure there are honest conversations about coping skills and mental wellbeing, and policies that make vaping devices harder for kids to access.

Our young people deserve more than warnings — they deserve pathways to thrive, to ensure they don’t get kicked out of school for something as foolish as vaping. Let’s meet this moment with the seriousness it deserves.