Combating the Vaping Crisis in US Schools: An In-Depth Look
Uncover how US schools aim to tackle the continuing problem of student vaping – a concerning issue facing educators, parents and health organisations alike.
As the new academic year begins, schools across the United States are proactively cracking down on vaping, an issue described by Grant Rivera, the superintendent of Marietta City Schools, Georgia, as “the biggest issue” facing teachers.
As per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 1.6 million US students reported using vapes from 2023 to 2024, a concerning behavior that can lead to dependency.
The Escalating Issue with Student Vaping
Interestingly, this isn’t just a problem plaguing rebellious teens or underachievers.
The vaping crisis is described as being “very much a part of today’s culture with teens”, with specialists stating that many vapers are college-bound, top students and athletes.
The Superintendent shared an alarming account of a school resource officer who collected three gallon-sized bags filled with confiscated vapes.
The Health Risks of Teen Vaping
The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that vapes can contain various substances, including addictive compounds like nicotine.
A worrying statistic from Dr Rachel Boykan, an American Academy of Pediatrics Tobacco Consortium member, is that many of these young users are using vapes 20 to 30 days a month – pointing toward high incidences of addiction.
Prolonged usage can also exacerbate conditions like anxiety and depression, among other health issues.
What can schools do?
In an effort to tackle this issue, schools are exploring various methods, with Marietta City Schools investing in vape detectors.
Installed in bathrooms where students often vape, these detectors have been funded through a combination of a Georgia Department of Education grant and a settlement from a lawsuit with vape manufacturer, Juul.
However, Jennifer Folkenroth from the American Lung Association expressed that relying purely on technology isn’t the answer.
The Association advocates for a multi-pronged approach, including partnerships with over 4,200 schools for the Vape-Free Schools Initiative.
Comment by Allen Carr’s Easyway
At Allen Carr’s Easyway, we agree that more comprehensive prevention measures, focusing on awareness, education, and support, are needed.
It’s crucial to understand that the issue isn’t merely about the act of vaping itself – but the potentially life-long cycle of dependency it can lead to.
Allen Carr’s Easyway for teens to quit vaping is a practical, clinically proven, drug-free option for schools seeking solutions to their battle with student vaping.
What program is right for you?
Both programs are a form of spoken therapy delivered in simple English with no scare stories or images.
Both cover the illusions of the addiction/issue, question your beliefs, provide insights into why you think as you do, shows you how to gain freedom and changes the way you will think about the addiction/issue so that you can leave free without any feeling of loss or battle of wills.
The in-person group seminars are a live one-day course delivered by trained facilitators, all of whom quitted with the method. They are delivered either online via Zoom or at a center and are in groups of up to 25 people. There are shorter booster seminars that are different to the first seminar for the few that require them. There is also a money-back guarantee.
The online video is a pre-recorded program that can be streamed to your device. There are two options quit vaping or quit vaping for teens, and they are presented by a facilitator who has helped thousands of people to freedom. They can be accessed anywhere and at anytime.
