Die fast or die slow? 90% of the world dies faster than the rest of the population, and the cause? Nicotine, THC, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein are the main murder suspects in these deaths.
Vaping is a popular way of smoking and is normally looks like a battery-powered pen, so many students think they can avoid consequences by using them despite it being illegal. The vapes create a froth that resembles water vapor, but it contains harmful chemicals and addictive flavoring.
“We worry about what unknown chemicals students could be ingesting from these vapes and the long-term impacts on their health,” associate principal Jason Anderson said.
According to principal Thomas Hensley, the Klein ISD and the state of Texas have a strong stance regarding students vaping. All Klein ISD schools have become more strict with the legal and school consequences of vaping.
“When we catch students with a vape device, we have it tested for any illegal substances by our Klein Police Department. If illegal substances are found, then students could face criminal charges,” Hensley said.
Klein ISD’s policy on vaping is an automatic DAEP placement for the first offense lasting 20 days; the second offense increases for five more days and it continues.
Recent studies show even non-smoking teens are affected by others who smoke and they often run the same detrimental health risks as those who are smoking and minors who choose to vape potentially damage their adolescent brain and could cause serious disfigurement.
Additional research shows more than 70% of adolescents under the age of 14 have been affected by firsthand and secondhand smoking, causing respiratory illnesses, physical fitness, and even potential effects on lung growth and function. When inhaled into the healthy lungs, the flavoring and over 30 toxic chemicals crossover from the airway into the bloodstream and make their way to the different parts of the body.
At Oak, restrooms and hallways are common places where the majority of students are caught vaping, and kids who don’t vape and who just want to go to class and learn don’t appreciate the act from their peers.
“It makes me uncomfortable when I go to use the restroom and it’s being used for other purposes,” junior Isabelle Montgomery said.
In high school, when peer pressure is at its highest, trying to fit in or find a spot in a group is often a reason why students start vaping. Students do things they may not normally do, just to be liked. Unfortunately, that leads to risks.
“You don’t know what you’re putting in your body. That’s all dangerous and you have no clue what’s in them and what it’ll do to you later,” sophomore Ariana Sparks said.
Teachers, APs, and even parents may seem like a teen’s worst enemy when confronting them about vaping, but their ultimate goal is to help young people quit and just focus on being teenagers again.
“We are concerned for the safety and well-being of all our students, at all times. We want them to make good choices that help lead them toward academic success,” Hensley said. “The medical evidence is clear; vaping is an unhealthy, potentially dangerous, and an unlawful choice.”
Many times, no one knows why their friends decide to start vaping.
“I feel like good people make bad decisions. So it’s just the action that I think I’m like, ‘what are you doing, man,’” junior Audrey Smith said.
Smoking affects mental health as well. Vaping can trigger severe anxiety, schizophrenia, and deep depression.
“Because I have had friends who’ve done it, and they were not in a good place, [I think you should] just check up on them to ensure they’re doing okay,” Smith said.
If you or a loved one has an addiction to smoking, contact 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) to stop.
