Vaping Issues In School

Student Life

By Grace Stein

Husky Herald Report

 Vaping is one of the biggest issues facing adolescents in the United States. At the high school level, vaping is a widespread problem for students.

  According to the Center on Addiction, vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling vapor, which is produced by an e-cigarette or similar device. E-cigarette products are filled with liquid that oftentimes contains nicotine.

   It has been reported a 900% increase in e-cigarette use by high school students from 2011 to 2015. In 2016, the National Youth Tobacco Survey noted that 1.7 million high school students said they had used e-cigarettes in the previous 30 days.

  There are many negative health effects along with the unknown effects of vaping, yet an innumerable amount of people participate in it. “It’s not all about the nicotine, however, it does relieve the stress I get from school. My biggest concern is that I’m going to be breathing from a tube one day,” said a Port Huron Northern senior.    

  Studies found by CNN show fine and ultrafine particles, harmful metals, carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines, volatile organic compounds, carcinogenic carbonyls and changed gene expression. Students do not comprehend the true cost of using these products, in terms of  health issues.

  “Monthly I spend around 45 to 60 dollars on products, and I know this can lead to many bad health effects but we are all going to die one day,” said a Northern junior.

   The resource officer at PHN, Officer Huisman, said, “Vaping is just as popular as cigarettes were back in the day, but vaping is more accessible, and harder to detect.”

  It’s hard for administrators to create an effective way to distinguish students that use these toxic products.

   Students vape in the bathrooms around the school during class, lunch, and passing time. Vape products are becoming more advanced, and have specific features in order for the cloud to dissipate faster, as well as the smell.

   Overall, vaping is a highly addictive habit that is present among students attending Port Huron Northern High school. The faculty and the resource officer at the school are trying effective methods to reduce or completely eliminate the use of various forms of e-cigarettes inside the school building.