Written by Yessica Banda, Staff Writer
Vaping various chemicals have increased a lot within the past two years. A study done by the National Institute on Drug Abuse stated that 40.2 percent of high schoolers from 12th and 10th grade combined consume these products.
Many students vape because of the flavors and others for personal reasons.
“Vaping to me is just a way for me to relax and destress,” said an Indian Trail High School & Academy general studies sophomore.
But many studies have also shown that vaping also causes many people to become addicted to nicotine, while others suffer severe side effects from elements in the product. Some of the side effects are impaired coordination, impaired memory, difficulties problem-solving, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate, and dependence in the long term.
Last year, public health officials stressed a strong need for new age restrictions on vaping as federal surveys showed a spike in teen usage of e-cigarettes and thousands of people, mostly young adults, suffered severe lung damage in recent months due to vaping THC-related products.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported 54 new deaths in 2019 and 2,506 new cases of lung-related illnesses connected to vaping products.
“I remember when my brother started vaping, he was having a hard time breathing so he stopped. But now he’s constantly doing it more frequently because of the flavoring,” said a General Studies Junior.
A new federal law took effect on Dec. 27, 2019, that bans the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes to anyone under 21 in order to help stop the increase of vaping on underage teens. However, this law has brought mixed views on teens.
“My older sister vapes constantly, but since they changed the new law it’s illegal for her now,” said a Business Academy freshman.
Vaping here at Indian Trail has also increased in the past few years. Matt Preuss, an IT dean of students, said he has seen an increase in student vaping, and it has affected all grade levels.
“There are a lot more students who are vaping within the buildings, whether it be a smell or student reports,” Preuss said.
Preuss hopes the new law will help prevent students from vaping or starting to vape.
“A lot of times where students are offered something, they may take a hit and it’s kind of a scary thing because we don’t know exactly what they’re vaping,” Preuss said.
Students and teachers here at Indian Trail also bring a message to those that are already addicted to the products. “Some people start vaping because they think it’s cool.
Others do it because they don’t know the outcome of it. But the majority of people like me started to just keep other things off their mind. I kept doing it until it was a habit of mine and before I knew it I was already addicted. I wish I didn’t start from the beginning,” said a General Studies senior.
“Be very careful, try to talk to your counselor, dean or parent, if you’re having addiction issues with it because it’s a drug and something addictive. With something like that your health could be in jeopardy,” said Preuss.