Corpus Christi ISD educates community on vaping prevention, health risks to kids

E-cigarettes are unsafe for children — but despite the risks, students in Corpus Christi are taking part in the vaping trend.

According to data provided by Corpus Christi Independent School District, between August and December, district middle schools reported 225 vaping infractions. High schools reported 216. Last week, vape smoke set off an alarm in a restroom at Kaffie Middle School.

"What we've kind of gleaned is that with a lot of these kids, the reason for vaping could be peer pressure, or they could be dealing with stress, or it could be an addiction because vapes are very addictive," CCISD director of student support services Ronald Kanipes said. "They could be habitual users."

Though rare, it's not unheard of for an elementary school student to bring a vape to school, perhaps bringing one they found at home to show off to other children.

"It's not a whole lot, but there have been a few," Kanipes said.

The district's HOPE symposium Wednesday evening at Carroll High School focused on vaping prevention, as well as promoting health and wellness resources in the community.

The Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse-Coastal Bend offered information to community members about the dangers of vaping during the event. The group also visits local schools and makes similar presentations to students.

What families should know about vaping

E-cigarettes heat liquid containing nicotine, flavorings, chemicals, marijuana or other drugs to make an aerosol that users inhale. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm brain development.

"It's hard for people to quit when they start nicotine," Lisa Godinez, a presenter from the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse said. "When we think about resources, we have places to go when somebody's addicted to other drugs or when they are addicted to alcohol. But there aren't any places for when someone's addicted to nicotine."

Godinez said that users might not realize how much nicotine they are inhaling while vaping. In addition to impacting brain development, vaping might also impact heart rate and cause respiratory problems, Godinez said.

E-cigarettes might resemble a cigarette or cigar, but they can also look like everyday items like USB flash drives, pens or even inhalers. Teenagers might purchase vapes online or from other students, Godinez said.

Godinez said that she believes presentations on the dangers of vaping can have a positive impact on vaping prevention, especially when teachers and coaches at school participate.

"Coaches are always talking about good health and good choices and that really helps because kids look up to their coaches," Godinez said. "They are mentors for them."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has a webpage about the dangers of vaping for children. For more information, parents can also find information online from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.

Consequences for vaping

A new state law went into effect in September heightening punishments for students caught vaping in school, requiring students spend time in a disciplinary alternative education program.

"The state recommends we remove them to a DAEP if they're caught with a nicotine vape," Kanipes said. "In the past, we didn't handle nicotine to the same extent we did THC vapes."

In Corpus Christi ISD, students are sent to the Student Support Center.

If it's the first time a student has been caught with a vape, the district assigns a three-day educational program, focusing on the harmful impact of vaping and peer pressure.

If a student is found with more than one vape, it might indicate an intent to sell, Kanipes said, which would result in a longer placement at the Student Support Center. Repeated offenses also result in progressively longer stays.

At the Student Support Center, social workers and counselors speak with students about why they are there and offer social emotional education. Students continue with their schoolwork, primarily through online programs. Teachers from their home campus also provide additional materials or assignments.

Texans must be 21 to legally buy tobacco products, including nicotine vape pens. But THC vaping is illegal for all ages in Texas.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Families learn about vaping prevention at CCISD event