Vaping a crisis for health, safety in our high schools

I remember when I was a kid, I got pressured into smoking.

My sister and uncle, who were close in age, idolized grandad Alex, who smoked cigarettes. Since he smoked, they had to smoke, too. Once, they invited me to try smoking with a dare, and when that didn’t work, they double-dared me.

I was afraid of the dangerous challenge before me, but I gave in to the pressure. I became ill from smoking a whole pack that day. They knew it was wrong for me to smoke at such an early age.

While this was my first- and last time smoking, my sister and uncle were addicted to the allure of “adulting” that it provided.

Years have passed, and now, instead of smoking, the fascination is vaping. It’s a new type of addiction and allure. It’s a new level of peer pressure to overcome.

E-cigarettes are an epidemic

Did you know that North Carolina is the number one state for producing tobacco, according to the State Library of North Carolina? Among young people, e-cigarettes continue to be the most popular tobacco product. In fact, their popularity caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to declare an “epidemic” of underage vaping among teens.

E-cigarette numbers are skyrocketing across the country:

• Around 2.5 million kids under 18 are currently vaping (2022 National Youth Tobacco
• Survey).
• More than 1 in 10 young adults between the ages of 18-24 vape (CDC).
• Youth e-cigarette use has increased by more than 1,800% from 2011 to 2019 (Truth Initiative).
• Sales of e-cigarettes increased by 46.6% from January 2020 to December 2022 (CDC).

When e-cigarettes first came out, they were introduced as a “healthy” alternative to smoking. Yet, studies have found e-cigarettes to be damaging to the body and highly addictive.

Young adults who vape cannabis are more likely to experience cough, bronchitis and wheezing, study finds

So, what is vaping?

E-cigarettes, often called vaping, use an electronic nicotine delivery system. Originally designed to replicate cigarette or cigar smoking, e-cigarettes use aerosolized vapor instead of smoke. These e-cigarette devices can deliver nicotine or marijuana while using different fruity flavors to disguise their smell. Inhaling both substances can be dangerous for teens.

The American Heart Association surveyed more than 2,500 teens and young adults and found that vaping nicotine or THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, was associated with an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety. The two are psychoactive drugs that change the chemistry of the brain and can impact one’s mood and degree of anxiety.

“Nicotine is a stimulant that may heighten alertness and arousal but also cause agitation, impatience, and anxiety. THC, on the other hand, is a cannabinoid that can trigger anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks, in addition to relaxation and bliss,” the study said.

Along with that, a new study found that it does not take long for severe respiratory symptoms to appear in a young person once they start using e-cigarettes. The study shows that after one month of vaping, users have shortness of breath and symptoms of bronchitis.

E-cigarette users inhale more than 30 chemicals, which can go deep into the lungs.

Vaping a crisis in schools

During the 2022-2023 school year, a Wake County high school was plagued with fire alarms going off because of students smoking e-cigarettes in restrooms. At one point, the Raleigh Fire Department responded to four false fire alarms over the course of a week.

Too many fire alarms: Leesville Road High School closes some bathrooms to cut down on vaping

In my role at ProjectArrow, I am talking to more and more administrators statewide who are worried about the prevalence of vaping. Students are sneaking in a cowardly manner to the bathroom and impacting classes all because of e-cigarettes.

Parents take note that now is the time to discuss vaping with your child. Talk with them about the importance of self-mastery, the ability to control your emotions and impulses, and have self-control and self-discipline. These traits are vital to resisting peer pressure and accomplishing your goals. Those who don’t have self-mastery are often irresponsible, reckless, and spontaneous and allow their emotions to control them.

Also, talk with your child about how they can make a difference for others. If they see other students using e-cigarettes underage, they can report this inappropriate behavior to staff members and administrators. By doing this, they can help ensure that the school maintains a safe and orderly environment.

Please consider asking your teen these questions to check in with them regarding the vaping crisis:

• If you saw inappropriate behavior being displayed at school that may harm the student body and staff, would you report this matter to an adult or your parents?
• How have the constant fire drills and alarms impacted your mental health? Are you anxious about your safety? Do the alarms cause concern if they are real or another false instance?
• Are you or your friends causing this disruption in your school?
• Have you been pressured to vape by peers?

Gale McKoy Wilkins is a wife, mom, grandparent and family life coach. She is the founder of Project Arrow, an evidence-based peer-to-peer and leadership program teaching middle, high school and first-year college students how to deal with trauma and crisis using life coaching. It's the first life coaching organization in the state to receive funding from the Department of Public Instruction and the first to implement life coaching in a school setting.