Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are a new fad vice principal Jeff T. Hines doesn’t foresee lasting long.
“Like most new things, everyone wants to try it out,” Hines said. “Plus it makes people feel rebellious.”
Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices that vaporize flavored liquid meant to replace cigarettes. Some liquids may contain nicotine, while others may be nicotine free.
Nicotine is an addictive substance in both electronic cigarettes and convential cigarettes. According to the Center for Disease Control, electronic cigarette usage among high school students increased from 4.7 percent to 10 percent during 2011-2012.
Although they don’t contain tobacco, e-cigarettes are still banned in tobacco-free zones, such as schools.
Hines said the board of education adopted the following policy: “Smoking by students and/or the possession or use of any other tobacco product or electronic cigarette is prohibited in any district facility; in school vehicles; at school-sponsored, activities, programs, or events, and on school property. Administrators may report students who are in violation of this policy to the appropriate law enforcement agency.”
Possession or the use of an electronic cigarette warrants the same three-day out-of-school suspension as the use of chewing tobacco or cigarettes.
Senior Augustus* said he doesn’t see a problem with using electronic cigarettes.
“It’s not harming anyone else and I enjoy it, so why not do it?” he said.
Although he has never smoked a cigarette, Augustus said e-cigarettes are healthier than regular cigarettes.
Augustus said electronic cigarettes are cheaper than regular cigarettes.
His main reason for using an e-cigarette isn’t for the nicotine, he said.
“I have it to do smoke tricks and plus it tastes good,” Augustus said. “It’s also relaxing in times of stress.”
He said he plans on using it for a while
“I’ll use it as long as it brings me joy,” he said. “I think this trend will last a while.”
Unlike Augustus, senior Hazel* started using electronic cigarettes because she didn’t like the odor of conventional cigarettes.
“I didn’t like the way I smelled and my teeth weren’t white,” she said. “Everything was gross.”
She was skeptical about transitioning to electronic cigarettes.
“I used to think it was worse for you than regular cigarettes,” Hazel said. “I also used to think it was trashy.”
She said got addicted to her e-cigarette, but switched to nicotine-free flavored juice.
“I switched to nicotine-free purely for smoke tricks,” Hazel said.
She said it doesn’t bring her much comfort, but it does bring her a little pleasure.
“It’s a kind of thing that people are looking at more negatively than positively,” she said.
Both users said one or both parents know about their e-cigarette usage.
Nurse Glenda Kinaman said e-cigarettes are still harmful, despite the push from the companies.
“They have been falsely advertised as safer because of the lack of the smoke factor,” Kinaman said. “Also because of their use as an aid for smoking cessation.”
She said their popularity has exploded because of their false advertising.
“It has become fad,” Kinaman said. “This has led to a dangerous rise in use and a very concerning rise in use among young people.”
Nicotine is the main factor that causes harm in electronic cigarettes and is the leading cause of heart disease, Kinaman said.
“Nicotine is what causes increases in heart rate and blood pressure, constricts arteries,” she said.
Kinaman said that it is important to educate youth on electronic cigarettes.
“They need to be aware they exist and the potential harm in using any nicotine product,” she said.
Hines said students or staff in the presence of those using them typically reports the uses of e-cigarettes.
Hines also warned against using someone else’s electronic cigarette.
“It is possible to put a wide variety of harmful and illegal substances into them,” he said. “They may have no idea what is inside of the device. It is always a risk to use something that is not your own.”