News on August 18, according to foreign reports, as students return to school this month, health advocates and medical experts remind parents and teens that e-cigarettes are harmful.

New state data shows a campaign focused on vaping could have a positive impact.

"I think parents, the community, the school are getting the message out that prevention programs are working," said Sharon Jensen, a student support services counselor for the Jordan School District.

She works on substance abuse issues in the region. She is also a member of the State Board of Education Task Force on Safe and Drug-Free Schools.

New data from the statewide SHARP survey shows that e-cigarette use among eighth-, tenth- and twelfth-graders has fallen sharply over the past two years.

"The luster of e-cigarettes is fading," Jensen said. "Kids kind of understand: it's like smoking, nicotine is very addictive, it just makes you let Big Tobacco take your money."

In 2019, 12.4% said they had used e-cigarettes. Last year, that number was less than 7.8 percent.

"All trends are down," she said. "But we weren't really satisfied until it kept going down."

"If we're studying children, the best way to quit smoking is to never start smoking," says Dr. Denitza Blagev, a pulmonologist at Intermountain Healthcare.

Parents should be on the lookout for unknown objects that look like pens or USB drives but are actually vaping devices. E-cigarettes also often smell fruity.

"Sometimes kids use these things to deal with anxiety," says Bragg.

Health experts agree that prevention starts with open communication between parents and children.

"I think we all need to help young people realize that, no, it's not a safe substitute for smoking. It's smoking in a different form," Jensen said.