Vaping and Its Dangers
A PSA from Lake Fenton Community Schools
Dear Parents and Students
There is a growing concern in our schools with the increasing trend of e-cigarettes and vaping among our students. To help raise awareness, many schools are providing informational sessions and information to help families stay up-to-date and informed on the potential risks and consequences of these actions.
The consequences for vaping on school grounds are the same as smoking: a school suspension. But beyond that, vaping can pose some serious health risks to our kids and we wanted to take a moment to share some valuable information with you on the current trends and research connected to this health risk.
The teen years are critical for brain development. Young people who use nicotine products in any form - including e-cigarettes - are uniquely at risk for long-lasting effects. Because nicotine affects the development of the brain's reward system, continued e-cigarette use can not only lead to nicotine addiction, but it also can make other drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine more pleasurable to a teen's developing brain.
Nicotine also affects the development of brain circuits that control attention and learning. Other risks include mood disorders and permanent problems with impulse control—failure to fight an urge or impulse that may harm oneself or others.
In 2015, about 4.7 million middle and high school students had used tobacco products in the 30 days prior to the National Youth Tobacco Survey studied by the CDC. E-cigarettes were by far the most popular tobacco product with 3 million users.
“Nicotine exposure during adolescence, a critical period for brain development, can cause addiction, might harm brain development, and could lead to sustained tobacco product use among youths,” the CDC reports. In fact, they say 80% of adult smokers first tried smoking by age 18.
This topic is so important that we are organizing a student presentation and parent informational meeting in the month of February (see event below for details). In the meantime, read on to find out more on this growing health risk!
Links to full articles from which much of this data was gathered can be found throughout this Smore newsletter.
Vaping: Staff, Student, and Community Education & Awareness Presentations
Then on Thursday, February 1st, both LFMS and LFHS students will participate in a similar presentation to offer awareness and education on the consequences and side-effects of vaping:
· Middle School 8:00AM and 8:45AM presentations
· High School 12:30PM and 1:15PM presentations
Finally that same day, Thursday, February 1st from 6:30-7:30PM, parents and community members will be invited to Lake Fenton High School to attend a vaping presentation for their own understanding and education as well.
Through these three key audiences we hope to raise awareness and educate ourselves on the possible side-effects and real consequences of this trend in today's schools.
Thursday, Feb 1, 2018, 06:30 PM
Lake Fenton Community Schools, Genesee County, MI, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
LF Athletic Consequences for Vaping:
- First Offense The athlete shall be suspended for the equivalent of 25% of the total games for the season. Should that number be greater than the number of games left in the season, the suspension will carry over until the next season. The student athlete must finish participation in the next season, not just the number of contests they are suspended for. The student must also enroll in a rehabilitation program and present proof of completion.
- Second Offense The athlete will be suspended from all interscholastic athletic participation for one calendar year from the time of the disposition.
- Third Offense The student will forfeit any involvement from interscholastic Athletic participation for the remainder of their high school career.
2017-2018 LF School Year: SOME of the confiscated Vapes
Percent of High School students who said they’d used each product in the past 30 days.
Percent of Middle School students who said they’d used each product in the past 30 days.
What is a vape? There are three major components..
eJuice: Gummy Bear flavored?
Various forms of Vapes
Vapes, vaporizers, vape pens, hookah pens, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or ecigs), and e-pipes are some of the many terms used to describe electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).
They may be manufactured to look like conventional cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some resemble pens, flash drives, or other everyday items.
Batteries
http://www.telegram.com/news/20171019/exploding-vape-pen-starts-fire-on-valley-tech-bus
Popcorn Lung and Other Problems Associated with Vaping
Vaping has been linked to chronic bronchitis (aka smoker's cough), bloody sores, lung wounds that won't heal, and even cancer. Check out this article for more information.
The picture below demonstrates a potential risk of vaping - popcorn lung. Popcorn lung is a serious lung disease linked to a chemical that is used in some vaping liquids.
More information about it can be found here.