School vaping crisis creates concern and crackdown
As CVHS vapers cloud the scene in bathrooms, the administration wants to clear the misty air.
Administration has locked some bathrooms and posted signs all around the campus in disapproval of vaping which violates school rules.
An Olympian survey on vaping reported that 74 percent of students do not vape, while 26 percent admit they do. That projects to 720 out of 3,000 CVHS students.
Vaping amongst students has been a concern for the CVHS administration. Vaping can be seen as a gateway activity, leading youth to other drugs and addictive substances.
A vaporizer uses a heating system to turn a liquid or wax into an aerosol which the user can then inhale.
The student handbook does not mention vaping specifically but does prohibit controlled substances, drug paraphernalia and nicotine products.
While most E-liquids or vape juices contain nicotine, a small amount do not. But those are not the ones most vapers use. The punishment for possession or use of nicotine product, according to the student handbook, is a three to five day suspension. Repeat offenders face more suspensions, along with a recommendation of expulsion.
“There are services we can direct students to if they are caught vaping or smoking, on top of the consequences they will face,” said Assistant Principal Jesse Hansen.
According to the aforementioned survey, 55 percent of students say vaping is harmful, 30 percent say it’s not, and the rest are unsure about the effects.
Though some E-liquids and vape juices do not have nicotine, all of them contain harmful carcinogenic chemicals.
“Most of these chemicals’ names I can’t even pronounce. The chemicals aren’t bad at room temperature, but when they are superheated like what a vape does, they become extremely harmful,” said CVHS Health Technician Shirley Henighan.
Survey results show that 87 percent of students say they have not vaped at school while 13 percent say they have.
Bathrooms are a popular place for vapers to go to, and have subsequently received a harsh crackdown. On top of closing some bathrooms, patrols by staff and security have increased.
“The bathrooms have been closed for a number of reasons, but if they smell like marijuana, tobacco, or vape, we will close it,” said Hansen.
Signs going up around the school which say “No vaping or smoking” have provided an awareness to students that it’s not okay. However without constant monitoring and enforcement, it will be extremely hard to catch these bathroom vapers.
Despite the negativity surrounding vapes, vaping has some reported benefits. Many users in online forums claim it serves as an anti-stress tool, similar to a stress ball. Others claim vaping increases their focus. It has also been known to help cigarette addicts quit smoking.
“It helps me stay calm and relaxed with all this stress that being a student brings,” said one anonymous vaper.
Vaping bad. Don’t do.
The vaping issue has gotten so bad, that a security guard followed me into the bathroom….. which was very awkward because I just wanted to go pee 🙁
It’s good that we’re realizing it’s a problem but honestly vaping in school is stupid because it’s effecting every single person who needs to go to the restroom and can’t becuase it’s closed due to people smoking in the bathroom.
Wow. this is horrible, We must catch these delinquents!!
Wow so crazy ? This is absolutely ridiculous ????? ?????
I smell kids vaping more than I see it. If someone is vaping or smoking in the bathroom it basically renders it useless. I remember going upstairs to use the restroom but just being overwhelmed by the smell of marijuana, it almost triggered my asthma. I had to walk all the way to 200 hall because the downstairs bathroom was closed for some reason and I missed like 15 minutes of class. Not only is it a nuisance, it’s kind of a health hazard. There should be harsher punishments. Not locking the bathrooms or anything, but maybe easier expulsions.
I hate entering the bathroom and smelling something that is sweet and feels good inhaling, yet that feeling is quickly replaced with the smell of feaces and fart. People gotta chill with the vape and stuff cause it makes them look like a female hygiene device.
I’m glad to see school start to look for ways to resolve this issue. The smell is really bad in some of the bathrooms, and that really bothers me. I hope the school can prohibit vaping/smoking in school in the next year’s student handbook.
I think the vape should be controlled maybe make another room for vape only so regular people can use the restroom instead hold themselves.
I honestly have seen many kids vape. In the article it says that instead of punishing the kids maybe they could send them to educational programs to detour them from vaping. I honestly believe this is the best way to address the problem instead of just giving a kid a 5 day suspension break