Abilene ISD reports surge in on-campus vaping, 150+ THC incidents
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Abilene ISD recently sent out a letter to parents, informing them about a surge in vaping across its campuses. This comes less than six months after House Bill 114 was passed, requiring public schools to remove any student from class who is caught with an e-cigarette. In the first semester of the 2023-2024 school year, AISD reported that there have already been hundreds of vape-related incidents.
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Alison Camp, executive director of Abilene ISD student services, told KTAB/KRBC students vaping continues to be a massive problem across the nation, “We’re seeing vapes with all ages; middle school and high school… We want parents to realize that these vapes are easy for kids to get, and they are- they’re dangerous.”
In a 2017 study by the CDC, 2.4 million middle and high school students were reportedly regular users of e-cigarettes. Both the CDC and AISD attribute the heightened usage to marketing tactics. By 2014, the CDC said 18 million US middle and high school youth were exposed to e-cigarette ads.
“They tend to kind of mimic the candy wrappers and they put fun flavors in them,” explained Camp, “and so they really market to kids.”
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Abilene ISD reported 158 THC vapes and 181 nicotine vapes, for a total of 339 total incidents of students with e-cigarettes on campus just this school year.
“What they don’t understand is some of these vapes have THC, and it is illegal. It’s a felony. So, even being in possession- even if it’s not theirs, can be a bad thing,” Camp said.
Medical director with the Taylor County public health district, Dr. Gary Holland, told KTAB/KRBC nicotine in vapes can be very addicting no matter the age, “The amount of nicotine actually in those units can be as much as a pack of cigarettes if you use the whole unit.”
Dr. Holland continued to list the negative effects of regular use of nicotine which includes brain development and chemicals that are harmful to the lungs.
“Neurological system effects like inability to concentrate, inattention, you know, trouble learning,” listed Dr. Holland, “and so, the young person’s brain is more subjectable to injury, so there’s a lot of concern.”
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What is in a nicotine vape?
The American Lung Association lists some of the ingredients found in a nicotine vape:
Nicotine – a highly addictive substance that negatively affects adolescent brain development
Propylene glycol – a common additive in food; also used to make things like antifreeze, paint solvent, and artificial smoke in fog machines
Carcinogens- chemicals known to cause cancer, including acetaldehyde and formaldehyde
Acrolein – a herbicide primarily used to kill weeds, can cause irreversible lung damage
Diacetyl – a chemical linked to a lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans aka “popcorn lung“
Diethylene glycol – a toxic chemical used in antifreeze that is linked to lung disease
Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, lead
Cadmium – a toxic metal found in traditional cigarettes that causes breathing problems and disease
Benzene – a volatile organic compound (VOC) found in car exhaust
Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
What’s more is the look of vapes change all the time. Many parents and teachers won’t realize what is in their student’s hand. The CDC has a comprehensive dictionary on the matter.
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To tackle the issue, Abilene ISD said the school system is working to teach students the risks associated with vaping.
“Parents can help. They are the first teachers,” Camp urged.
Abilene ISD students and parents can submit concerns to its online forum called Speak Up. Speak Up encourages students and staff to report bullying, personal health concerns, inappropriate behavior, crisis at home, and vaping.
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