School Administrators Find Ways To Manage Student Vaping

FRANKFORT, Ky. — House Bill 11 would prohibit Kentucky stores from selling vapes that are unauthorized by the Food and Drug Administration, deterring children from the allure of vaping.

The bill awaits Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature on Friday. Republican State Rep. Rebecca Raymer filed HB 11 in hopes that it will prevent children from becoming addicted to e-cigarettes and decrease vaping in schools.

“This started out because I was contacted by school officials in my district about how rampant vaping is in our schools. As I dove into this subject, I learned that most of what is confiscated is flavored and disposable vapes. Looking further, I found out that many of these vapes are not even authorized for sale,” Raymer said in a press release about the bill.

High schools nationwide are trying to manage underage vaping, including Paducah Tilghman High School.

Ronnie Stroud, the assistant principal, said he has written 34 referrals this school year for vaping. To reduce students vaping, teachers and faculty patrol hotspot areas, like the bathroom.

“I’ve actually seen students walk into the bathroom, see me standing there, walk right back out. So that’s a deterrent,” Stroud explained.

But students are becoming more blatant about where they vape.

“Unfortunately, it’s happening in the classrooms. It’s not just relegated to bathrooms, and you know, where they have hidden spots,” Stroud said.

Although teachers look out for vaping, the faculty-to-student ratio makes it difficult for schools to stop vaping altogether. Tilghman has about 55 teachers compared to about 875 students.

“The major concern for me is having staff coverage to be in locations. That takes away from staff coverage in the classrooms or out in certain hallways,” Stroud said.

He is concerned about the accessibility of vapes, both in society and at home.

“I have had individual parents or guardians actually tell me that they purchased it for them, and so again, that’s a concern for us,” Stroud said.

Students are also finding creative ways to conceal e-cigarettes.

“We have issues with vaping of students and individuals using … different items that look like vapes, and [it’s] been reported that vapes are now made to look like Sharpies,” Stroud said.

Because of this, if a student gets caught with a vape or a teacher suspects a student is vaping, they will go to the office and have their backpack searched. If it is confirmed that a student is vaping or has a vape, they receive in-school detention.

In addition to discipline, the school is taking a rehabilitation approach to provide support and, hopefully, prevent students from developing a long-term addiction.

“We contact home. We involve Officer White in a lot of those instances. We do individual counseling with those [students]. I mean, I contact the parents and say, point blank, ‘Is this an issue you’re having at home?'” Stroud said. “Our question is always, ‘How can we help you? Do you want help?'”

Paducah Tilghman High School is working with local organizations like the Purchase District Health Department to implement interactive programs to stop students from vaping.

“It’s a battle we hope we win. But again, it’s a societal thing,” Stroud said.