MADISON, Wis. — The vaping industry is thriving in Wisconsin despite health concerns. Vape and tobacco sales grew by 13.6% in 2023 from 11.9% in 2022, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Seth Blackstone is the general manager at Knuckleheads in downtown Madison.

“We go through a decent amount of all of the different brands,” Blackstone said, as he eyed the wall of vapes in his store.

Blackstone said he was a former two-pack-a-day smoker for five years before he turned to vaping.

“I switched over to vaping, and I can say I am very much healthier for it,” Blackstone said.

In the three years at Knuckleheads, Blackstone said he has witnessed significant business growth.

“The business has expanded, and that’s because it is more available and more people are trying it,” said Blackstone.

Dr. Patrick Remington said he is worried about this trend. Remington is a professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health.

“Well, there’s no question there’s a dramatic increase in vaping,” said Remington.

He said manufacturers target kids using tactics like those once used by cigarette companies. About 32% of high schoolers have tried e-cigarettes, according to Wisconsin DHS.

“If the product were designed simply for helping smokers quit, flavoring wouldn’t be such a centerpiece,” said Remington. “We know. Just ask the kids. The vaping products with flavoring appeal more to kids and are really an industry strategy to get kids to use the product to sell more product to get kids addicted to nicotine without question.”

The issue is personal for Remington He said his father died of lung cancer. He is now dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of vaping.  

Recently, he published an article in the Wisconsin State Journal urging the Federal Drug Administration to ban flavored vapes.

“The message they’ve heard is don’t smoke cigarettes,” said Remington. “They’ve seen adults struggle quitting smoking, and vaping for them seems like a less harmful or harmless habit, not realizing that there’s a lot we don’t know about what’s going to happen in five, 10, 15, 20 years.”

He also works with legislators to try to keep these flavored devices out of children’s hands.

However, vape shop manager Blackstone said he doesn’t see this as a major concern.

“If you’re worried about your kids vaping, talk to them,” said Blackstone. “Like, they’re your kids. Like, there are a lot of unhealthy choices people can make, and if people aren’t educated, they’re going to make bad choices.”