what schools are doing about vaping concerns with teens

The Vaping Epidemic—What Are Schools Doing About It?

• Introduction Vaping isn’t a new issue, but with the recent reports of mysterious lung illnesses linked to e-cigarettes, many schools are starting to crack-down. ...
• Vape Detectors, Removing Bathroom Doors, and Checking Students As the number of teens vaping continues to rise, certain school districts are taking extreme measures to stop them. ...
• Fines and New Health Curriculums ...
• Final Thoughts ...

Full Answer

What can schools do about vaping?

There are many ways to tackle vaping in schools. Early education, diversion programs to help students quit, and engagement of peers, parents/guardians, and staff are good places to start.

How can schools prevent students from vaping?

Tell them you have a strong stance against them using any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes. Talk to our school principals and administrators about concerns with youth vaping. Attend PTA meetings, Board of Education meetings, and Town meetings to see what their plans are.

Can you get expelled from school for vaping?

Education Code Prohibits Tobacco and Nicotine Products A pupil shall not be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion, unless the superintendent of the school district or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has…

Why have Michigan schools stopped suspending students for vaping?

We explain that possession of any vaping materials violates the student code of conduct," Huyghe said. Students are offered the program as an alternative to suspension. "We explain that the goal is to help to teach them healthy habits and keep them in the learning environment.

How do I stop my teenager from vaping?

Here are some things you can do if you are concerned about a young person vaping:Learn the facts. Read through our fact sheets for parents and teachers and teens, as well as our myth busters.Have a conversation. Approach the conversation calmly, and ask questions. ... Call Quitline (13 7848) for free advice.

How common is vaping in high school?

E-cigarettes were young smokers' most commonly used product That equates to about 13 percent of high school students and 4 percent of middle school students.

Can Dentists tell if you vape?

To conclude, though you might not immediately exhibit the tell-tale stains or smell of a smoker, your dentist will be able to deduce the other symptoms of vaping.

Is there a device that can detect vaping?

3D Sense is a vape detector that works on many of these fronts to help combat vaping. 3D Sense continuously monitors its environment to detect vaping, smoking, and air quality disruptions. When vaping is detected, chosen contacts get an alert on their phone so they can investigate further.

How can I tell if my kid is vaping?

Signs a person is vapingA sweet scent in the air. ... Unfamiliar pens and USB drives. ... Drinking more water. ... Nosebleeds. ... Smoker's cough or mouth sores. ... New batteries and chargers. ... Discarded vaping pods and devices.

How old do you have to be to buy Vapes in Michigan 2022?

21 years of age"The purchase of a tobacco product, vapor product, or alternative nicotine product by a minor under 21 years of age and the provision of a tobacco product, vapor product, or alternative nicotine product to a minor are prohibited by law.

Are Vapes going to be illegal in Michigan?

The six-month ban will go into effect immediately and will ban sales of sweet, fruity and minty e-cigarettes in retail or online stores, as first reported by the Washington Post. Tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products won't be banned.

Are Vapes getting banned in Michigan?

On September 4, 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer took aggressive action to protect Michigan kids from the harmful effects of vaping. These actions included making Michigan the first state in the nation to ban flavored nicotine vaping products.

How do you raise awareness for vaping?

Communicate with studentsFree Tobacco-Free Schools Signs (Association for Nonsmokers – Minnesota)Free My Life, My Quit Promotional Materials.Escape the Vape: Student-made vaping prevention videos.Free print and digital materials, such as posters (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

How can we prevent teenage smoking?

To help your teen avoid getting hooked, follow these tips.Set a good example. Teen smoking is more common among teens whose parents smoke. ... Understand the attraction. ... Say no. ... Think beyond cigarettes. ... Appeal to your teen's vanity. ... Do the math. ... Expect peer pressure. ... Take addiction seriously.More items...

How does vaping affect high school students?

addiction: E-cigarettes contain nicotine, a drug that's highly addictive. You don't have to vape every day to get addicted. anxiety and depression: Nicotine makes anxiety and depression worse. It also affects memory, concentration, self-control, and attention, especially in developing brains.

Is there a device that can detect vaping?

3D Sense is a vape detector that works on many of these fronts to help combat vaping. 3D Sense continuously monitors its environment to detect vaping, smoking, and air quality disruptions. When vaping is detected, chosen contacts get an alert on their phone so they can investigate further.

Who is the principal of middle school vaping?

And high school students trained in prevention education will be deployed to the middle schools to talk to younger students about the dangers of vaping, according to Principal Gregg Wieczorek. “I would rather convince a kid to not start, than to ever have to convince them to stop,” Wieczorek said.

What percentage of teens believe e-cigarettes contain flavoring?

But many teens are not aware of the hazards of vaping. Sixty-six percent of teens believe their e-cigarettes contain just flavoring, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

What happens if you get caught with a vape pen?

In addition to suspension, students face a possible felony charge if the liquid in the vape pen includes a banned substance like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an ingredient in cannabis.

What is Boulder Valley School District?

The Boulder Valley School District in Boulder County , Colo., has moved from letting individual schools decide how to handle such incidents to developing a community-wide approach that now stresses prevention efforts, including education for students about the risks and how to make good decisions, and informational parent nights that feature the county’ s public health department, law enforcement, local doctors, and experts. They are also working with local physicians to ask screening questions during regular check-ups.

How long does it take to vape a cigarette?

Another thing that has health and addiction researchers worried is that a significant number of teenagers who start vaping—30 percent according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse—progress to traditional cigarettes within six months.

Why is it important to start a vaping program with informational letters?

They started with informational letters to parents—a simple but important step because many parents did not know about the prevalence of vaping, were not talking to their children about vaping, or did not know the most effective ways to do so.

What is a vaporizer pen?

Vaporizer pens and other sleek electronic devices convert nicotine-infused liquids to water vapor that can be inhaled.

How many high schoolers are vaping?

The 2019 survey shows the rate of vaping among high school and middle school students continues to rise. With more than 1 in 4 high schoolers and 1 in 10 middle schoolers reporting vaping use, the need to educate families about the risks of vaping is critical.

What is the danger of vaping?

Vaping exposes children and teens to harmful metals and toxic chemicals found in e-cigarettes.

How many people died from vaping in 2020?

Those direct health harms include a dramatic rise in acute lung injuries associated with vaping, known as EVALI. It’s unclear what is causing the condition, but the common denominator is e-cigarette use. Across the United States, more than 2,660 cases of EVALI hospitalization or deaths were reported to the CDC, as of Jan. 14, 2020. Sixty deaths related to EVALI were confirmed in 27 states and the District of Columbia during the same time. “These are lung injuries that look like the person worked in a chemical plant for years,” says Dr. Jenssen.

How old is too old to be addicted to nicotine?

Children and teenagers younger than 18 years old are especially vulnerable to addiction. “Nicotine can change the biochemical pathways in the body, making paying attention more difficult and priming the brain for addiction,” says Dr. Jenssen.

Is vaping a public health crisis?

Teen Vaping Is a Public Health Crisis: What You Need to Know . Vaping among preteens and teens has reached a crisis point, according to a 2019 survey, and it threatens to undo years of public health efforts that had led to a decline in nicotine use. Parents should be concerned because: Vaping increases the risk of teens developing an addiction ...

Is vaping a good alternative to smoking?

Myth: Vaping is a “healthier” alternative to smoking. Fact: There is no evidence that supports the claim that vaping is a healthier alternative to smoking. These products are not regulated by the FDA and do not disclose their ingredients. Myth: Vapes don’t contain nicotine.

Is vaping dangerous?

Even more dangerous: Vaping products are designed to appeal to young people — they come in flavors like cotton candy and sour gummy worms, and with devices styled to appeal to tech-savvy teens.

Introduction

Vaping isn’t a new issue, but with the recent reports of mysterious lung illnesses linked to e-cigarettes, many schools are starting to crack-down.

Vape Detectors, Removing Bathroom Doors, and Checking Students

As the number of teens vaping continues to rise, certain school districts are taking extreme measures to stop them. Vaping detectors are being installed in school bathrooms and closets to detect vaping, THC oil (which is found in marijuana), and shouting between students.

Fines and New Health Curriculums

Suspension isn’t the only method being used to punish students for vaping on school grounds. The Fairhope police department, for example, is beginning to fine students at the Alabama high school anywhere from $10 to $50 for a first offense of vaping.

Final Thoughts

Because vaping is such a huge issue, schools must become more involved in the process of educating students on its consequences and preventing them from vaping on school grounds. It’s time for all schools to start reacting to this epidemic to protect the physical health of those who are vaping and the emotional health of those who don’t.

How many 12th graders are vaping?

About 37% of 12th graders reported vaping in 2018, compared with 28% in 2017. Vaping of each substance that was asked about increased. This includes nicotine, flavored liquids, marijuana, and hash oil.

What is the purpose of e-cigarettes?

In vaping, a battery powered device called an e-cigarette heats a liquid into a vapor that can be inhaled. The vapor may contain nicotine (the addictive drug in tobacco), flavoring, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes can also be used with marijuana, hash oil, or other substances.

Can you use e-cigarettes with marijuana?

E-cigarettes can also be used with marijuana, hash oil, or other substances. Vaping may pose serious and avoidable health risks. Exposure to nicotine during youth can lead to addiction and cause long-term harm to brain development.

Is vaping increasing among teens?

Vaping Rises Among Teens. A new survey found an alarming rise in the number of American teens who tried vaping last year. The study suggests that vaping may be driving an increase in nicotine use for teens. In vaping, a battery powered device called an e-cigarette heats a liquid into a vapor that can be inhaled.

When will e-cigarettes be banned?

On January 2, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized an enforcement policy that prohibits the sale of prefilled cartridge e-cigarettes in any flavor other than tobacco or menthol, unless authorized by FDA.

Why are e-cigarettes not safe to eat?

For example, some e-cigarette flavorings may be safe to eat but not to inhale because the gut can process more substances than the lungs. 1. Defective e-cigarette batteries have caused some fires and explosions, a few of which have resulted in serious injuries.

How do e-cigarettes produce aerosols?

E-cigarettes produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals that help to make the aerosol. The liquid used in e-cigarettes often contains nicotine and flavorings. This liquid is sometimes called “e-juice,” “e-liquid,” “vape juice,” or “vape liquid.”. Users inhale e-cigarette aerosol ...

What are the most popular flavors of e-cigarettes in 2020?

5 Among high school students who currently used any type of flavored e-cigarettes in 2020, the most commonly used flavors are fruit (73.1%), mint (55.8%), menthol (37.0%), and candy, desserts , or other sweets (36.4%). 5.

What are the flavors of e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes come in various flavors, including fruit, candy, mint, and menthol. A study from 2013-2014 showed that most youth who use e-cigarettes first start with a flavored variety, and flavors are the primary reason youth report using e-cigarettes. 6.

What is an e-cigarette?

E-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a liquid and produce an aerosol, or mix of small particles in the air. E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes. Most have a battery, a heating element, and a place to hold a liquid. Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens, ...

Where is Juul used?

News outlets and social media sites report widespread use of JUUL by students in schools, including classrooms and bathrooms.

How much has vaping increased in high school?

According to the most recent Monitoring the Future study, use of vaping nicotine has nearly doubled among high school seniors, increasing from 11 percent in 2017 to 20.9 percent in 2018. Vaping has also significantly increased among eighth and 10th graders.

What can parents do about vaping?

What Parents Can Do About Teen Vaping. Parents can take steps to help prevent their kids from vaping health risks. In particular, communication between parents and teens is key in supporting good choices and positive coping mechanisms. Here are some ways to protect teens from the dangers of vaping.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping refers to the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, or vapor, created by a vaping device. A vaping device includes a mouthpiece, a battery, a heating component, and a cartridge that contains the e-liquid or e-juice. The e-liquid is a combination of nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. Vaping devices can also be used to vaporize THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, by replacing e-liquids with cannabis-infused oils.

What are the chemicals in vape juice?

Along with nicotine, vaping liquids contain additives such as propylene glycol and glycerol. These toxic chemicals have been linked to cancer, respiratory disease, and heart disease. Scientists have also found that diacetyl, a chemical used to flavor some vape juice, may cause a condition called “popcorn lung,” the scarring and obstruction of the lungs’ smallest airways. In addition, a study found that some common chemicals used to flavor vape juice could damage endothelial cells. These are the cells that line blood vessels and lymph vessels.

What is the purpose of a vape battery?

The battery in a vaping device powers the heating component, which heats up the e-liquid , also known as vape juice . As a result, the device produces water vapor. Users inhale this vapor into their lungs.

How to tell if a teen is vaping?

What Parents Can Do About Teen Vaping 1 Watch for warning signs. Because e-cigarettes do not have an odor, it’s harder to tell when teens are using them. However, there are other signs to watch for, including bloodshot eyes, increased thirst, nosebleeds, and cough. 2 Ask open-ended questions. Avoid yes/no questions when talking with teens about vaping. Ask them what they’ve heard about vaping and what their peers think about it. Approach the conversation with caring and curiosity, not judgment. If a teen admits to vaping, react with compassion. 3 Let them know about the dangers. Make sure that teens understand the potential long-term consequences of vaping. 4 Set a good example. If parents don’t want their teens to vape or smoke, they shouldn’t do so either. Teens will have a hard time believing that vaping is dangerous if they see adults doing it. 5 Get them the help they need. If a teen wants to stop vaping, make sure they receive access to professional help for breaking the habit and dealing with the physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal.

How many deaths from vaping?

Most recently, a vaping-related health crisis has resulted in hundreds of respiratory illnesses across the United States and at least six deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

How to educate teens about vaping?

How to Educate Teens on Vaping. The best way to educate teens about vaping is to tell them about the risks associated with it. Some teenagers do not know that vaping could cause damage to their health, so making them aware of this fact could convince them to quit.

Why Are So Many Teens Vaping?

There are many reasons why vaping is on the rise among teenagers. A lot of teens like vaping because they are attracted to the high tech look and feel of the vapes.

What is the CDC recommendation for vaping?

The first thing they say is that parents should be tobacco and vape free themselves. Choosing not to smoke or vape will set a good example.

What happens if you spot a student vaping?

Failure to do so is a violation of many school policies, and ignoring vaping could result in being fired.

How do teens overcome nicotine addiction?

Teenagers can overcome their addictions to nicotine through willpower and assistance from supportive family and friends.

How to approach a teen who is vaping?

The best and most effective way to approach teens vaping is not to be confrontational. Calmly approach them and speak to them in a regular voice. Do not yell at them or strike them. Doing this will put the child on the defensive and make them more confrontational.

Why is social media a driver behind vaping?

Social media is a driver behind teens vaping because they see their friends and social media influencers doing it on their social networking pages.

Why do youth vape?

Most common reasons youth vape 2. 31% Use by "friend or family member". 31% Availability of "flavors such as mint, candy, fruit, or chocolate". 17% Belief that "they are less harmful than other forms of tobacco such as cigarettes".

What should schools do to protect their students from these products?

Many of our youth are already addicted to nicotine through these tobacco products and therefore efforts are needed to help kids quit. Schools should offer programs on-site to help students quit or connect them with resources to support them in breaking free from their addiction.

Is youth e-cigarette use really an epidemic?

The FDA has called e-cigarette use among teens an epidemic with no signs of abating.

What is INDEPTH in vaping?

Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco and Health (INDEPTH) is an "out-of-the-box" alternative to suspension or citation that seeks to address the teen vaping problem in a more supportive way. Instead of exclusionary discipline, students participate in a series of interactive educational sessions focused on nicotine addiction, establishing healthy alternatives and making the change to be free of all nicotine and tobacco products. The program is administered by an adult facilitator in either a one-on-one or group format and can be offered in a school or community-based setting. Visit Lung.org/INDEPTH, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or email INDEPTH@Lung.org to learn more.

What is a vape talk?

The Vape Talk is a resource for parents to learn more about how to talk to teens about vaping and download a conversation guide. Not On Tobacco (N-O-T) is the American Lung Association’s teen smoking cessation program and helps teens who want to quit, and provides the tools, information and support to quit for good.

What is the FDA's tobacco prevention campaign?

FDA's tobacco prevention campaign which now features ads to educate teens on the dangers of e-cigarettes. Schools can take advantage of free print materials and web content from the campaign.

Can nicotine be harmful to kids?

Kids may not realize that the products they are using contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development.

Introduction

Vape Detectors, Removing Bathroom Doors, and Checking Students

• As the number of teens vaping continues to rise, certain school districts are taking extreme measures to stop them. Vaping detectors are being installed in school bathrooms and closets to detect vaping, THC oil (which is found in marijuana), and shouting between students. The detector will notify school administrators, who will deal with the issue ...

See more on educators4sc.org

Fines and New Health Curriculums

Final Thoughts