Скачать или смотреть Dr. Maika's Message: The Consequences and Dangers of Vaping

I would like to take a few moments to discuss an issue that can cause both health and legal issues for our children. 

North East ISD, like other school districts in the nation, is experiencing an increase in vaping among students. 

A recent national report states that 43.6% of high school students and 17.2% of middle school students have reported using e-cigarettes to vape.

Vaping is illegal for children younger than 21. Depending on the contents of the vaping material, students who are found to be in possession or under the influence of a vape product may also face felony charges. 

The punishment for vaping on District property is addressed in our North East ISD Student Code of Conduct. Punishment for vaping, depending on the content of the vape, while on school property or while attending a school-related activity off school property, ranges from in-school suspension to a referral to an alternative education program which may include expulsion. 

The long-term health effects are still being studied, but we do know vaping has already caused long-term lung issues in children. Most vapes, or e-cigarettes, contain nicotine that can also harm adolescent brains and create a nicotine addiction.

Vaping is not as obvious as smoking a traditional cigarette. You may have seen people in public inhaling from a small device. It may resemble a USB flash drive or a narrow cylinder. What that person is doing is inhaling a vapor produced by an electronic vaporizer or e-cigarette. The process heats a liquid to generate an aerosol. The vapor may contain nicotine, marijuana oil or other substances.

Often, the liquids vaporized are called vape juices. These come in a variety of flavors and are often sweet, creating a fruity aroma or a scent like perfume. It does not produce the typical tobacco smell like a cigarette or pipe, which makes vaping easier to conceal. 

We can save lives, keep your children healthy and reduce the potential of a criminal record by working together. As parents and educators, we must continue to stay informed about the dangers of vaping and share that information with our children. 

Please talk to your children about this and arm them with information regarding the damage they could do to themselves and their futures by vaping. 

Also, anyone can anonymously report a drug issue or another threat to the North East Tip Line at neisd.net/tipline. 

Each of us must do our part to keep our children safe, healthy and on the road to success.

Thank you, and I’ll see you around our District.