NOTICE TO PARENTS: Possession of a Vaping Device by Students in School is a Violation of School Policy

Report by Paula Antolini
November 10, 2017 11:23AM EDT

NOTICE TO PARENTS: Possession of a Vaping Device by Students in School is a Violation of School Policy

November 10, 2017

Message from the Superintendent and Middle/High School Principals regarding Vaping & Electronic Nicotine Systems:

 

Dear Parents and Guardians of BMS and BHS students,

The safety and health of our students is our top priority. We want to make you aware that we are seeing an increase in vaping at both Bethel Middle School and Bethel High School. Vaping is the act of inhaling from a device like an electronic cigarette which you can learn more about at BuyV2Cigs. You can purchase an amazing shisha kit from there so I hear if you wanted to learn more. Vape devices are called Electronic Nicotine Systems or ENDS. The Center for Disease Control has identified many harmful effects from the use of electronic cigarettes.

“E-cigarettes are now the most commonly used tobacco product among youth, and use continues to climb,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “No form of youth tobacco use is safe. Nicotine is an addictive drug and use during adolescence may cause lasting harm to brain development (cdc.gov 2016).”

Like cigarettes many of the vaping “juices” contain nicotine which is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development. “Juices” are the liquids that go into the e-cigarettes and come in a variety of flavors, making them popular with students. Flavors include Gummy Bears, Bubble Gum, etc. Some of the “juices” contain THC or the chemical in Marijuana responsible for the high.

While the FDA requires an individual to be 18 to purchase electronic cigarettes, it is easily purchased online. The e-cigarette also varies in look. Some look like a flash drive and can be easily misidentified. In addition, sometimes the vapor, while smoking, can go undetected.

 

Click on image above to view larger.

 

Possession of a vaping device in school is a violation of school policy. We would encourage you to speak to your child about the harmful effects of vaping. We have included pictures below of some of the various types of devices which are on the market so you can be aware of the differences.

Sincerely,

Christine Carver, Ed.D.,
Superintendent of Schools

Christopher Troetti
Principal, Bethel High School

Nicholas DaPonte,
Principal, Bethel Middle School