Wall Street Journal: Inside the fight against school vaping
UC’s tobacco and addiction expert Ashley Merianos cited in national media article
According to a Wall Street Journal, although “federal data show e-cigarette use dropped slightly among high-schoolers last year, teen vaping remains a serious concern among public-health officials, who say it can be highly addictive and can affect adolescent brain development.”
Ashley Merianos, PhD, associate professor of human services.
The article highlights efforts being made by school officials to crack down on vaping to include using sensors and tobacco and marijuana sniffing canines over concern that vaping impedes success later in life.
“There is mounting evidence that vaping among teens can lead to nicotine addiction during this critical developmental period and follow them into adulthood,” tobacco and addiction expert Ashley Merianos stated in the article.
Merianos is an associate professor in the School of Human Services, within the University of Cincinnati’s College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services and is prolific researcher on the harms of first, second and third-hand smoke.
The article is available for WSJ subscribers only; however, questions regarding the article can answered via email angela.koenig@uc.edu.
Featured image at top of Ashley Merianos. Photo/Andrew Highley/UC Marketing + Brand.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Will AI really replace your job?
February 6, 2026
As artificial intelligence seeps into more careers, some people wonder if any jobs will become obsolete in the coming years, according to 700WLW. Jeffrey Shaffer, director of Lindner College of Business’ Applied AI Lab, spoke with 700WLW on the future of AI in the workplace.
Revolutionary AI technology enhances diagnosis of substance use disorder
February 6, 2026
MSN, Bioengineer and other outlets highlight a new study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati who developed a novel AI to predict substance use disorder.
Affording college and how students loans are changing
February 5, 2026
Jack Miner, vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Cincinnati, spoke with WVXU's Cincinnati Edition for a segment on college affordability. Miner discussed the recently launched Bearcats Affordability Grant and changes in the federal government's Saving on Valuable Education (SAVE) plan.