God has called me to be a voice for our children. I am a woman of faith, a longtime policy advocate and the mother of a 16-year-old — my most important role. Until recently, I did not know much about e-cigarettes or vape pens. Conversations with my daughter opened my eyes to the dangers and a frightening reality: I might not have recognized a vape even if one was sitting in front of me.
I am not alone. Many parents and educators are in the same position. Smoking came with obvious warning signs: a lit cigarette, the shrill alarm of a smoke detector, that unmistakable smell. Today, those warning signs are harder to spot — and often, they barely exist at all. We have even found young people vaping in a church bathroom during a service. An adult could have walked right past them and never known.
While we have made significant progress, about two million U.S. middle and high school students still use tobacco products, with e-cigarettes being the most prevalent. That is not by accident. Many parents do not fully understand what these products are, what is in them or just how dangerous they can be. And that is not because parents do not care — it is because these products have evolved faster than information about their harm is available to most families. That is why education must be our priority.
Today’s tobacco products look nothing like those of the past. They are sold in sweet flavors, designed to look harmless, and made easy to conceal. Some of the latest e-cigarettes can contain nicotine comparable to the amount found in hundreds of cigarettes, depending on the product and how it is used. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm the developing adolescent brain, affecting attention, learning and memory. Research also suggests that nicotine exposure during adolescence may increase vulnerability to addiction. Parents and students need to understand these facts.
Recent regulatory decisions, including the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization of multiple flavored e-cigarettes, show why we cannot wait on government alone. Let me be clear: an FDA marketing authorization applies to specific products. It does NOT mean these products are safe, or that young people should use them. Policy matters, but the most immediate protection for our children comes from informed parents, engaged educators and aware students.
We must equip families to recognize these products and understand the risks. Schools should build tobacco and nicotine education into health curricula, and students themselves can become advocates among their peers. Federal tobacco prevention and control programs provide funding, data and support for education and outreach tailored to each community across the nation. Yet this federal infrastructure is eroding — and our children will pay the price.
Knowledge is power. When young people understand the science of addiction and the often-aggressive tactics used to market these products, they are better equipped to make informed choices and resist peer pressure.
Parents, teachers and health care professionals are on the front lines. When we stay informed and keep talking with our young people, we create places where children feel safe asking questions and seeking help.
I am grateful that leaders like U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) understand the importance of youth tobacco prevention and have supported education and awareness efforts. I hope other leaders will join in championing resources for community education programs and school-based prevention initiatives. That is the kind of leadership our children deserve — leaders willing to invest in education and empower families.
As First Lady of Kingdom Fellowship AME Church, I have seen how trusted institutions, including churches, can help families navigate difficult issues. We must use that trust to educate parents and young people on the dangers these products pose. And we need to equip teachers, coaches, pastors and community leaders to recognize the signs and have honest, informed conversations with our children.
At Kingdom Fellowship, we intend to do our part. On Nov. 14, 2026, our church will host a town hall to bring the broader community together to talk about the dangers of youth tobacco use and, most importantly, how we can educate and protect our kids and families. We invite parents, young people, educators, healthcare professionals, faith leaders and the community to join us. Come with your questions, bring someone who needs this information, and leave prepared to help spread the word about the harms of vaping.
But one conversation is a starting point, not an endpoint. We need every family, school, church and community organization to act. Parents, ask questions, learn about these products and talk openly with your children. Young people, educate yourselves and look out for one another. Faith leaders and educators, use your platforms to inform and protect. Health care professionals, make prevention and support part of every conversation with parents and young people. Policymakers, invest in community education and give families the resources they need to stay informed — and keep these dangerous products out of our children’s hands.
As a woman of faith, I believe we are called to protect those entrusted to us. God has called me to be a voice for our children, and I intend to use that voice. I hope parents, faith leaders, educators and policymakers across Maryland will join me.
Our children deserve better. We cannot turn a blind eye. Not on our watch.
Lady Shawna Francis Watley is a seasoned policy strategist and senior adviser at Holland & Knight and first lady of Kingdom Fellowship AME Church.
