Youth vaping is a worldwide issue, but it also affects local teenagers, including those at Warren Hills Regional High School. The issue knows no boundaries when it comes to age, social groups and cliques.
Nationally, usage of e-cigarettes – by far the most popular form of tobacco-related consumption among American youth – is at 10% among all high school students, according to a November statistical analysis by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The good news is that the 10% level is a steep decline from 14.1% of high school students in 2022.
“Despite this progress, youth e-cigarette use remains a serious public health problem in the United States,” said Yolonda C. Richardson, president of the nonprofit Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in a Nov. 2 press release. “Over 2 million kids still use e-cigarettes, and over a third of them use e-cigarettes daily or most days.”
Vaping involves a battery-powered device that heats nicotine flavoring, other chemicals such as diacetyl and metals such as lead. The chemicals in vapes are harmful and greatly affect young minds from developing, medical experts agree.
“Between the boys and girls, the issue is equally present,” said Warren Hills Security Guard Steve Bifano.
Throughout the years, vape devices have evolved. Years ago, hiding and concealing a vape device was more difficult than it is today. Today’s vape devices average around 5 inches in length, while past vapes were up to about double the size of a cigarette.
Less smoke and odor is produced from new devices, and they fit in the palm of any student’s hand, so they can be easy to hide.
“People are becoming sneakier and smarter,” said school Security Guard Jodie Tiger. “The products have less smell and are harder to find and easier to conceal. The new products produce a smaller cloud than the old ones.”
These factors make it easier to be discreet about vaping.
Students who might be caught vaping are escorted by the security guards to the main office. Administrators take charge from there.
Charges can be pressed against the student, who would have to appear in court on a set day. After the school fills out the paperwork, the state takes it under the New Jersey Smoke Free Air Act.
If a student is in possession of a device, but not caught in the act, a day of in-school suspension is often assigned.
A student could face a fine of $250 for their first offense, and the figure goes up from there.
Teens continue to vape for a variety of reasons, national health experts say, including peer pressure, curiosity, availability of e-cigarettes and a mistaken belief that vapes are better than cigarettes.
Additionally, social media influence, marketing targeted towards teens and lack of awareness of potential risks contribute to the ongoing use of vaping among teens, health officials say.
Vaping among teenagers is still a problem and will continue to remain a significant issue for the foreseeable future, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other anti-tobacco organizations. Despite efforts to curb it, the popularity of vaping among teens persists, and the associated health risks and possible addiction are major causes for concern.
