Big Tobacco Episode 029: Paula’s story: Losing a child to vaping Artwork

PAVe: Big Tobacco Messed with the Wrong Moms

Every week on “Big Tobacco Messed with the Wrong Moms”, hosts Meredith Berkman and Dorian Fuhrman, two of PAVe’s co-founders, will discuss the youth vaping epidemic, sharing important information about everything from serious health risks to quitting resources. Moderating important conversations with top public-health experts, these MOMvocates will speak directly to parents and other key stakeholders across the country, empowering them to join the fight to keep our kids from becoming an entire generation of nicotine addicts.

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PAVe: Big Tobacco Messed with the Wrong Moms

Big Tobacco Episode 029: Paula’s story: Losing a child to vaping

May 10, 2021 • Parents Against Vaping E-Cigarettes • Season 1 • Episode 29

In 2016, Paula’s son Walter had just started high school in Delaware when a friend offered him a cool-looking flavored e-cigarette that had just come on the market: a JUUL.

Walter, a twin, and one of Paula’s four children, was almost immediately addicted, often vaping multiple mango or menthol JUUL pods every day. Walter’s asthma, largely under control since childhood, returned with a vengeance: the more Walter vaped, the more severe his asthma attacks.

The final attack led to Walter’s death in September 2020, just a few days before his 20th birthday.

Tune in to this week’s episode to hear why Paula believes that publicly sharing her family’s tragedy will protect others--and is the most powerful way to fight back against an industry preying on teens.