As a firm believer in personal choice and the need to address underlying issues such as mental health, I am deeply concerned about the ban on flavored vapes in Washington County, Oregon. This issue is not just about vaping; it's about acknowledging that addiction exists because of deeper problems within individuals. If we put as much effort into providing mental health support for young people as we do into banning flavored vapes, perhaps we would see a different outcome.

Flavored vapes have been banned with the intention of reducing nicotine addiction among youth. However, this approach fails to consider that humans will always strive great lengths to get what they want - banning flavored nicotine will not necessarily deter anyone. Instead of addressing the root cause - mental health issues - these bans simply remove one outlet without providing any alternatives or solutions.

According to data from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 50% of adolescents with substance use disorders also have a co-occurring mental disorder. This statistic underlines the need for comprehensive strategies that address both substance use and mental health.

I urge our local government in Beaverton, OR to reconsider their stance on this issue. Let's focus on creating robust support systems for our youth struggling with addiction and mental health issues rather than imposing bans that may not effectively solve the problem at hand.

Please sign this petition if you believe in personal choice and addressing root causes over superficial solutions.