New Health Canada exhibit hopes to curb teen vaping in Calgary

Teens at a Calgary high school got a better look at what's lurking in the scented clouds when they vape.

Students at Western Canada High School participated in an interactive exhibit as part of a national anti-vaping awareness campaign.

The campaign comes as an increased number of teens are picking up the habit, said Shane Sokolan, who teaches sports medicine and physical education at the school. 

"It's not just something that's in the background anymore, it's coming to the foreground to everyone, and there's more and more shops popping up. I think every high school is going through the same thing," he said.

Health Canada has been touring schools across the country in hopes of educating young people about the health risks of vaping. The government agency says vaping has been on the rise with teens since 2015.

Sokolan said the more often students are exposed to messages that tell them vaping is harmful, the better.

"It'll make them think twice, three, four, five times so maybe it will actually sink in a little bit better," he said.

Grade 10 student Elle Chiarandini agrees.

"I think it's better than just sitting in a classroom and just having the facts told to you, something more hands-on like this will get the message through better," she said.    

She said most people at her school own a vaporizer, or have tried vaping.

"But I don't think they're educated on the long-term effects so much," she said.

Another Grade 10 student, Marcus Wilson, said he didn't know about the harmful metals that can be inhaled while vaping.

He said he's seen students at the school vaping in washrooms and locker rooms.

"I know a lot of kids that are already pretty close to stopping. They're scared of getting addicted," he said.