WRST-FM, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s radio station, will broadcast a special report called “Vaping: What You Don’t Know Could Kill You.”  The special will air at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 over WRST (90.3 FM and wrst.org).

This past summer, reports circulated throughout the country that people were being injured and dying after vaping, usually connected to black market THC products. More information surfaced in November of this year that a key cause of these injuries and deaths was a substance called Vitamin E acetate.

The timing of this epidemic also turned a spotlight on the broader question of how vaping companies were trying to hook a new generation on nicotine by making vaping seem like a safe alternative to cigarettes. However, vaping nicotine is dangerous for young people, and this program investigates by talking with health officials, high school administrators and the kids themselves. One thing is clear: most young people are unaware of the short- and long-term health impacts of vaping.

This special was produced by KRCB-FM, the Northern California Public Media station in Santa Rosa.  It was made available to WRST through the Public Radio Exchange.