Administration confronts vaping problem

Vaping is the practice of inhaling and exhaling a mixture of flavor products and nicotine inside of an electronic cigarette. 

It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to legally buy a vape for the safety of young people; however, vaping in high school has become increasingly popular. 

Chapman, along with many schools across the country, has gotten a glimpse at this problem. 

Principal Andrew McMillan said he thinks one of the reasons that there has been an increase in vaping is a desire to fit in socially.

“If you vape and I vape, hypothetically, we immediately have a connection,” he said. “Students vape to fit in and have something in common with each other.” 

Assistant Principal Amy Driggers said the reasons students vape are clear.

“They are easy to get, easy to use and students do not fully understand the inherent dangers in vape use,” she said.

Assistant Principal Matt Davis said that vaping is tailor-made to appeal to a younger generation.

“The fact of the matter is it’s very accessible, and this generation is naturally looking for things to get into,” he said. “This thing is in cool colors and flavors, and it’s designed for (teenagers).”

According to John Hopkins Medicine, vaping can affect a user’s heart and lungs and can be just as addictive as smoking tobacco.

 E-cigarettes could expose users to toxic chemicals that are not supposed to be inhaled.

Students who are caught vaping will face consequences: They will be issued a ticket from the resource officer with a fine, and they will also get a three-day suspension. 

If they have multiple offenses, they will be moved to an alternative program or even expelled. 

But even students who are not caught may suffer academic consequences. 

“We have seen an uptick in focus and attention problems,” Driggers said. “If you look at the effects of nicotine on the developing brain, you can see why academics may be affected by vape use.”  

Davis said that any solution to the vaping problem must come down to education.

“I think the best way to go forward is just by educating people,” he said.