E-cigarette Abuse in Schools: US Nationwide Issue

According to a report by KWCH on September 12th, the widespread misuse of e-cigarettes in schools has become a nationwide issue. Education officials in Kansas, USA, have stated that they are actively addressing this problem.

Amanda Grier, the principal of Andover High School, mentioned, "I believe it is more suitable for children as they offer a variety of flavors. We have witnessed some students attempting to discreetly put them in their backpacks or socks and sneak into the restroom to consume them."

As a measure to prevent e-cigarette use, e-cigarette detectors have been installed in every restroom and changing room. Grier stated that when the detectors go off, school staff will be notified. At the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year, Grier reported that school staff received six notifications.

She mentioned that these notifications "introduced three or four different types of e-cigarettes.

Grier said that e-cigarettes can be disguised as school supplies. Although she hasn't witnessed such a situation in school this year, she suggested that parents should pay attention to their children's belongings and monitor their behaviors.

She said, "Often, parents perceive them as mere pens, kept at the back of backpacks. However, now we are witnessing some e-cigarettes that resemble study materials like fluorescent markers."

Grill stated that any student found using e-cigarettes containing tobacco ingredients will face a three-day suspension and will be required to complete an e-cigarette education task. If a student is found using an e-cigarette with marijuana ingredients, they will be suspended for ten days and must undergo a drug assessment by professionals off-campus, followed by a 45-day probation period upon returning to school.