Vaping In Middle School – The Issues and The Best Ways To Fix Them
Vaping among young people and children is a growing concern in the US. What many people find hard to believe, however, is that the problem has seeped into middle schools as well as high schools, affecting children as young as 10 and 11.
Given the health effects that vaping can have on children, it’s a problem in dire need of tackling, and in this guide, we share our expertise and insights to help you solve the problem of vaping in middle school.
Below, we explain the extent of the situation, sharing the latest statistics and research into the health impacts, before exploring five of the most effect methods of stopping vaping in middle
Given the health effects that vaping can have on children, it’s a problem in dire need of tackling, and in this guide, we share our expertise and insights to help you solve the problem of vaping in middle school.
Below, we explain the extent of the situation, sharing the latest statistics and research into the health impacts, before exploring five of the most effect methods of stopping vaping in middle
Is Vaping In Middle School A Problem? The Latest Statistics
A vaping “epidemic” was recently declared in US schools, and middle schools formed a big
part of the numbers.
At it’s peak, around 5% of middle school students reported using e-cigarettes. That’s since
declined. The latest Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey carried out by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found:
• Around 290,000 middle schoolers nationwide reported current e-cigarette use. That’s
about 2.5% of students
• 19.1% of middle school vapers reported using vape pens daily. This suggests around 1
in 5 middle school vapers are dependent on nicotine.
• 57.3% of respondents claimed to have used disposable vapes, which are easier to get
hold of. 89.4% of respondents opted for flavored products.
• Males (3.1%) had higher current use than females (1.9%)
• 11.5% of middle school e-cigarette users had never used any other tobacco product
before vaping, which suggests it’s a gateway to other more harmful products
While vaping is declining generally among children, hundreds of thousands are still
experimenting with these harmful products every year. Let’s explore the reasons why this is a
problem.
part of the numbers.
At it’s peak, around 5% of middle school students reported using e-cigarettes. That’s since
declined. The latest Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey carried out by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found:
• Around 290,000 middle schoolers nationwide reported current e-cigarette use. That’s
about 2.5% of students
• 19.1% of middle school vapers reported using vape pens daily. This suggests around 1
in 5 middle school vapers are dependent on nicotine.
• 57.3% of respondents claimed to have used disposable vapes, which are easier to get
hold of. 89.4% of respondents opted for flavored products.
• Males (3.1%) had higher current use than females (1.9%)
• 11.5% of middle school e-cigarette users had never used any other tobacco product
before vaping, which suggests it’s a gateway to other more harmful products
While vaping is declining generally among children, hundreds of thousands are still
experimenting with these harmful products every year. Let’s explore the reasons why this is a
problem.
Why Do Middle Schools Need To Tackle The Issue?
The effect that the ingredients found in vapes can have on children can be particularly damaging. Nicotine is the key ingredient, a highly addictive substance that’s found in cigarettes.
The young adolescent brain, still in developmental mode, can be impacted greatly by nicotine.It has the potential to disrupt attention spans and impact learning ability, memory retention, and overall brain development. Middle school students in particular are especially vulnerable, and when moving to a new and often bigger school, they can get pressured into trying things like vapes.
The “tasty” flavors that vapes come in make them attractive to young students, who enjoy the quick buzz without realizing the long-term impact. Vaping has been linked to fatigue and tiredness, acne, sore throats, and headaches, among others. And once a student gets hooked on nicotine, it can be hard for them to quit.
The young adolescent brain, still in developmental mode, can be impacted greatly by nicotine.It has the potential to disrupt attention spans and impact learning ability, memory retention, and overall brain development. Middle school students in particular are especially vulnerable, and when moving to a new and often bigger school, they can get pressured into trying things like vapes.
The “tasty” flavors that vapes come in make them attractive to young students, who enjoy the quick buzz without realizing the long-term impact. Vaping has been linked to fatigue and tiredness, acne, sore throats, and headaches, among others. And once a student gets hooked on nicotine, it can be hard for them to quit.
Where Do Middle School Students Tend To Vape?
Some middle schools can be quite large, covering a big area with hundreds of students.
Others can be small and close-knit. Regardless of size, there are some hot spots that middle
schoolers gravitate toward it when it comes to misbehaving. Here’s a breakdown of some
chosen locations for vaping on school property:
• Bathrooms
• Locker rooms
• Emergency exits
• Empty class rooms or gymnasiums
• Stairwells
• Quiet outdoor areas, like by school bins
• School buses
There’s not much schools can do about pupils vaping off school premises beyond educating
them on the risks. But doing all they can to ensure the above areas are covered will go a long
way to stamp out vaping habits.
Let’s take a look at what middle schools can do to tackle the problem of vaping on their
premises.
Others can be small and close-knit. Regardless of size, there are some hot spots that middle
schoolers gravitate toward it when it comes to misbehaving. Here’s a breakdown of some
chosen locations for vaping on school property:
• Bathrooms
• Locker rooms
• Emergency exits
• Empty class rooms or gymnasiums
• Stairwells
• Quiet outdoor areas, like by school bins
• School buses
There’s not much schools can do about pupils vaping off school premises beyond educating
them on the risks. But doing all they can to ensure the above areas are covered will go a long
way to stamp out vaping habits.
Let’s take a look at what middle schools can do to tackle the problem of vaping on their
premises.
How To Stop Vaping In Middle School: 5 Proven Methods
Tackling the issue of vaping in middle school isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Manyeducators have tried and failed to remove vapes from their premises. However, many have succeeded, and they did so by following these strategies below.
1. Installing Vape Detectors
One of the biggest challenges educators face in enforcing a no-vape policy is supervising confidential areas. These are generally student bathrooms and locker rooms. It’s inappropriate for school staff to be stationed in a young person’s bathroom just to stop them from smoking. It’s an invasion of their privacy and prompts questions over safeguarding.
This is a problem, as the reality is that bathrooms and locker rooms are the key hot spots for vaping in middle school. The best way to provide coverage to these inaccessible areas is vape detectors.
These subtle devices look like fire alarms, only they do much more. They detect all types of vapor, from e-cigarettes to THC and marijuana. They can also detect raised voices and pick up keywords, like “vaping”.
Rather than sounding an alarm when triggered, the detector alerts staff who can catch the culprits in the act, allowing them to provide a more meaningful intervention.
Vape detectors are cheap and supremely effective, making them the best method of stopping vaping in middle schools.
This is a problem, as the reality is that bathrooms and locker rooms are the key hot spots for vaping in middle school. The best way to provide coverage to these inaccessible areas is vape detectors.
These subtle devices look like fire alarms, only they do much more. They detect all types of vapor, from e-cigarettes to THC and marijuana. They can also detect raised voices and pick up keywords, like “vaping”.
Rather than sounding an alarm when triggered, the detector alerts staff who can catch the culprits in the act, allowing them to provide a more meaningful intervention.
Vape detectors are cheap and supremely effective, making them the best method of stopping vaping in middle schools.
2. Education
Another important strategy to help tackle vaping in middle schools is to provide accessible education on the impact it can have.
It’s natural for schools to try and shock students with statistics and horror stories, but this can have the opposite effect, making a mockery of the process or dissuading engagement. Providing relatable stories from people just like them can help highlight issues and genuine risks.
An effective educational plan can inform pupils before they’re even presented with the prospect of vaping and can help those who may be stuck with a bad habit they’re trying to kick.
It’s natural for schools to try and shock students with statistics and horror stories, but this can have the opposite effect, making a mockery of the process or dissuading engagement. Providing relatable stories from people just like them can help highlight issues and genuine risks.
An effective educational plan can inform pupils before they’re even presented with the prospect of vaping and can help those who may be stuck with a bad habit they’re trying to kick.
3. Improved Supervision
One step that schools can take is to improve the numbers of staff who supervise pupils duringthe likes of break times and lunch times. These are some of the most popular times of day forstudent vaping, where pupils come together in their downtime and congregate in those hotspot areas.
As well as boosting foot patrols during break times, introducing hall walks and bathroomchecks during lesson times can also help catch any determined students.
As well as boosting foot patrols during break times, introducing hall walks and bathroomchecks during lesson times can also help catch any determined students.
4. Greater Training For Staff and Parents
Another effective strategy to tackle vaping in middle school is to provide training and education to staff on the signs of vaping.
As we’ve discussed, students who may be addicted to nicotine may show visible symptoms, like irritability, tiredness, and a general lack of engagement. A teacher may notice behavioral changes that point to this. They could then communicate this to parents, who can continue that supervision at home and hopefully make a positive intervention if the student is indeed vaping.
Schools can also provide support to parents in the form of resources and guidance on the risks and harms of vaping and what they can do to support their child in kicking the habit.
As we’ve discussed, students who may be addicted to nicotine may show visible symptoms, like irritability, tiredness, and a general lack of engagement. A teacher may notice behavioral changes that point to this. They could then communicate this to parents, who can continue that supervision at home and hopefully make a positive intervention if the student is indeed vaping.
Schools can also provide support to parents in the form of resources and guidance on the risks and harms of vaping and what they can do to support their child in kicking the habit.
5. Adding Anti-Vaping Posters Around Hot Spots
Another effective strategy you can employ in your middle school is to erect anti-vaping posters. These posters could highlight the risks of vaping. Playing on the chances of developing acne, for example, can sway some students who may be self-conscious about their appearance already.
Anti-vaping posters can also provide crucial reminders to reinforce other educational efforts. And they can also serve as reminders that vaping is against school policy and runs the risk of punishment.
Placing them in bathrooms and other hotspots can help complement a strong no-vaping policy overall.
Anti-vaping posters can also provide crucial reminders to reinforce other educational efforts. And they can also serve as reminders that vaping is against school policy and runs the risk of punishment.
Placing them in bathrooms and other hotspots can help complement a strong no-vaping policy overall.
How We Help Middle Schools Tackle Vaping: A Case Study
Here at Triton Sensors, we’re experts in creating vape detectors for middle schools and high schools. We understand the complex issues at play and have created a product that’s designed to achieve the best results possible.
This was the case when Luling Independent School District reached out to us about a serious vaping problem in their schools. Children of all ages were vaping without consequence, leading to significant behavioral issues. The issue they had was enforcing the policy, with students retreating to the safety of bathrooms and locker rooms to vape.
Our strategy involved installing vape detectors in all of these locations that are hard for teachers and educators to supervise. Our devices not only detected vapor, THC, and cigarette smoke but also provided the school with noise alerts tied to decibel levels and keywords, like “vaping” and “vape.”
Within just 10 weeks, the schools saw a massive 83% drop in vaping incidents. Teachers received discreet alerts whenever an alarm was triggered, allowing them to catch the culprits in the act.
Being able to enforce their no-vaping policy properly saw the solution that Luling ISD needed to tackle vaping. You can read more case studies here.
If you’d like help with an issue of vaping in a middle school you’re employed with, reach out to us today. We offer a free, easy-to-install demo kit, as well as free quotations and advice on what your school may need to get the best results possible. To get that free quote, just click here.
This was the case when Luling Independent School District reached out to us about a serious vaping problem in their schools. Children of all ages were vaping without consequence, leading to significant behavioral issues. The issue they had was enforcing the policy, with students retreating to the safety of bathrooms and locker rooms to vape.
Our strategy involved installing vape detectors in all of these locations that are hard for teachers and educators to supervise. Our devices not only detected vapor, THC, and cigarette smoke but also provided the school with noise alerts tied to decibel levels and keywords, like “vaping” and “vape.”
Within just 10 weeks, the schools saw a massive 83% drop in vaping incidents. Teachers received discreet alerts whenever an alarm was triggered, allowing them to catch the culprits in the act.
Being able to enforce their no-vaping policy properly saw the solution that Luling ISD needed to tackle vaping. You can read more case studies here.
If you’d like help with an issue of vaping in a middle school you’re employed with, reach out to us today. We offer a free, easy-to-install demo kit, as well as free quotations and advice on what your school may need to get the best results possible. To get that free quote, just click here.
Key Takeaways
• According to the CDC and FDA, around 290,000 middle schoolers nationwide reported current e-cigarette use
• The ingredients in vapes pose a significant risk to middle schoolers. Nicotine, for instance, can impact brain development
• Vaping hotspots in middle schools include bathrooms, locker rooms, empty classrooms, empty gyms and the classic spot by the school bins
• Some of the best methods of stopping vaping in middle schools include installing vape detectors in hotspots, greater educational efforts on the risk of harm, providing support to students to help them quit, and training teachers and parents to spot the signs.
• The ingredients in vapes pose a significant risk to middle schoolers. Nicotine, for instance, can impact brain development
• Vaping hotspots in middle schools include bathrooms, locker rooms, empty classrooms, empty gyms and the classic spot by the school bins
• Some of the best methods of stopping vaping in middle schools include installing vape detectors in hotspots, greater educational efforts on the risk of harm, providing support to students to help them quit, and training teachers and parents to spot the signs.
