Each day I can’t help but to wonder what it will be like in ten years when my daughter turns 14 and enters high school. I can only imagine what technology teens will use, what social media will look like, and of course, what progress will have been made with the war on drugs and the teen propensity to experiment with them. However, my daughter is only four, and so my attention stays focused on conversing with our current students about the ugly trends of social media bullying, the dangers of driving, and the attraction of vaping amongst young people today.
This month I write to share with you some insights and background on one of our biggest struggles we have today as educators: how to speak with our students about the current trend of vaping. It seems as if this problem is ubiquitous, and that the cloud of smoke/vape that teens puff into the air is completely harmless. As new smoking regulations in America have dramatically cut down the numbers of people who smoke cigarettes, big tobacco companies have found a new way to keep our society hooked on nicotine. Smoking e-cigarettes is now the trend among high school students. Simply known as vaping, its lasting effects have yet to be truly defined. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one thing is certain, the numbers of teens smoking e-cigarettes has risen to roughly 14 percent by the time a student is a senior in high school. Its an ugly statistic considering 30 percent of these students (e-cig users) will be using traditional cigarettes within six months.
For those who are unfamiliar with vaping, e-cigarettes are very much a cigarette, but in electronic form. There is a heating device powered by a battery that turns the nicotine filled liquid into a vapor that the user can inhale when he/she takes a drag. “Great news,” one might exclaim, “e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes.” Yes, at first glance and according to the FDA this appears to be correct. Critical studies, though, show that the data is tenuous at best. Also, what is the message we give to our children if we accept this response from them. In most cases, the e-cig is loaded with nicotine, but as the developers continue to find other uses for it, other chemicals may be infused in the liquid cartridges such as corn oil, alcohol, and coconut oil (used in extracting THC from the cannabis plant). Other chemicals that can be found in e-cig products include the chemical formaldehyde (used often in building materials, antifreeze, and embalming fluid) and Diacetyl, a chemical known for causing a lung disease called ‘Popcorn Lung.’
Recently, lawmakers have made vaping on school property illegal, just like traditional cigarettes, which have been banned for many years. Despite, this new law, think back to your high school years. Students were caught smoking cigarettes in the bathrooms all the time. Unfortunately, things have not changed, it’s just the form of smoking that has progressed. Vaping is likely more prevalent in schools than traditional cigarette smoking, since the vapor emitted from e-cigarettes tends to be more inconspicuous, relatively odorless and easy to conceal. Administrators and security personnel are scrambling to try and combat e-cig use by their students, as there aren’t enough of them to watch every crevice in school buildings. Aside from the harsh penalties given to students who are caught smoking on campus, school districts across the country are now investing in vape detectors-an impressive new technology that detects the change of air quality in the room. St. Anthony’s has become very proactive in helping to discourage its students from developing such bad habits, and fully intends to provide a safe and secure school for our students, including utilizing the newest technology to protect our community.
A final thought to ponder: in addition to the nicotine-laced liquids that teens put into their vape devices, they can also insert other cartridges. Sweet flavored juices as well THC based substances are common substitutes. With the current swing in legislation legalizing the use of marijuana in many states, these foreign substances are finding their way into the hands our children. The terrible thought that often comes to mind is of the young person who tries “a friend’s” device and has an adverse reaction because they didn’t know what was really in it. Or what about all the young people who want nothing to do with vaping but still need to use the restroom. Why should they be subjected to such conditions?
So, what are we as parents to do about this?
First, and foremost, educate yourself on the subject. Finish reading this editorial and then google vaping. You need to know about the subject before you can engage your children in a serious discussion about it. Once you’ve done that, make sure your children know where you stand on the issue. Most adolescents take their cues from their parents. The goal is to make your position absolutely clear. Don’t be afraid to use dinner time to figuratively lay everything out on the table. Ask them direct questions. Do your friends vape? Where do they purchase the devices and cartridges? You may be shocked about what you hear. In my experience, teens will respond positively when the right tactic is used to engage them in conversation. Don’t be afraid to snoop around in their rooms. It may feel as if you’re entering their personal space, but you are their parents and should not view it that way. Don’t stop to read anything, just survey the discreet places in their room. I don’t need to tell you that teens think they’re smarter than their parents. When you’re a loving parent, and your motives are pure, a little invasion will make you feel more at ease. Now, of course, if you do find something, that’s a different story.
Of course, as parents and educators, this is just the beginning of the battle for us against this infectious habit. One can only hope we have enough strength to challenge the problem head on. I urge you to be proactive. None of us want to see that 14 percent statistic of young users grow any larger.
For your own information, below are two links to some useful resources. Feel free to look them over and get the conversation started with your kids.
Science News for Students: Concerns over new health risks of vaping
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/concerns-explode-over-new-health-risks-vaping
CNN: Teens use e-cigarettes for ‘dripping,’ study say
http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/06/health/dripping-e-cigarettes-teens-study/index.html
