Vaping: Why I Wouldn't Recommend It

By: Justin Hermann

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no,” they’ve stammered, :it’s just a flash drive, no worries.” Yeah, sure it is. We all know what it really is--a Juul. It’s better than cigarettes, I suppose, but is it appropriate for high school students? If you at all questioned that, all hope has been lost for you. I abide by the philosophy of not caring too much about what people do, towards vaping, I very much do not care. Smoking is one of the few things that makes me irate; nothing will draw my ire more than cigarettes, and since the vaping industry has a vision of reducing cigarette smoking, I applaud them for their efforts, but vaping has problems too. It can be addictive, and when a young child, or a high schooler perhaps, gets ahold of a Juul, there can be a problem. I’m no scientific doctor, but putting something into your lungs other than air can’t be the best for you. Contact your local confirmation for confirmation.

If your Juul has nicotine, it can become addictive. If it has diacetyl in the flavoring, there is a risk of serious lung disease. The Surgeon General even considers vape pens, Juuls, and other e-cigarettes tobacco products because of the nicotine, a product of tobacco. Researchers at John Hopkins University found that vape pens can possibly release toxic amounts of metal in the vapor, including lead, through the heating coils the vapor travels throughout the pen. Also, vaping kind of makes you look like an idiot. Vaping has become more common as high schoolers across the country, even students in our school, have begun vaping. It has become more than a fad; it is something that is here to stay. The National Institute on Drug Abuse sponsored a survey in 2017 than found approximately 1-in-6 students (in 8th, 10th, and 12th grade) had vaped within the last 30 days prior to taking the survey.

Do students vape? Yes. Do members of the faculty? Unknown. It is apparent that our school has people who vape. If you thought otherwise, maybe the education system in America really is broken. Has it been done on school grounds, during school? Of course. In the eyes of the school, vaping is not tolerated and should never be done by a student. It is viewed on the same level as a cigarette or hookah.

Here are the consequences for vaping, if caught by the school. First offense: citation and fine from village plus 1 day in or out-of-school suspension; second offense: citation/fine plus 1-2 days in or out-of-school suspension: third offense: citation/fine plus 1-2 days in or out-of-school suspension. Is vaping an epidemic here at MHS, as it is in other schools? No, I do not believe it is. Even so, the school can do something. The school can educate students and staff on what vaping is for those unaware. Again, I do not care if you vape. You do you… as long as what you’re doing is safe towards your body, and you are okay with the consequences.