SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — Florida got an "F" for tobacco prevention from the American Lung Association this week when they released their annual State of Tobacco Control report.
The group says high numbers of teens using e-cigarettes as a negative factor for the state. The report shows that about 30 percent of high school students in the state are using tobacco products.
“Vaping is a problem, they think it’s a safe way of doing it,” said counselor P.J. Brooks.
Brooks said his group, First Step of Sarasota, has counselors in the schools to counsel with students who vape.
A national study conducted showed e-cigarette usage is up 78-percent between 2017 and 2018.
The American Lung Association rated each state based on five factors. Florida received and “F” grade in four out of the five factors.
Click here to see full findings from the American Lung Association
