Vaping concern at Cherokee County Schools – Epidemic of youth use nationwide

Vaping is becoming a major concern for educators to handle use by Cherokee County students during school hours.

PRIDE released its study for 2017-18. “Pride Surveys was created in 1982 by professors at Georgia State University in Atlanta and Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. Their purpose was to help local schools measure student alcohol, tobacco and other drug use through the use of student surveys,” PRIDE website states.

Cherokee County Board of Education was informed of the survey results by Ms. Jenni Irwin at a recent meeting.

Irwin explained the study polled 752 fifth, seventh, ninth, and 11th grade students with all answers anonymous.

The survey showed an increase of tobacco use among fifth graders while there was a decrease in use in other class groups. However, the prevalence of e-cigarette use within a 30-day period showed decrease in usage by all grade levels surveyed.

Irwin cautioned that although the numbers have lowered, the threat of unknown, harmful substances are finding their way into the JUUL (pronounced jewel) e-cigarette containers students are using. These products are sold by online merchants as well as “in vaping, convenience, and tobacco stores.”

JUUL is an e-cigarette with many scented vapors like “fruit medley” which students find appealing. There is no lingering “smell” after each puff of the battery operated device. E-cigarettes are finding an underage tobacco use market as students of all ages are beginning to use them. It is illegal to sell to minors.

The amount of nicotine one JUUL contains is the same amount as a pack of 20 cigarettes. Each pod will give the user approximately 200 puffs. Herein lies the concerns of many: some JUULs have been tested to find in addition to nicotine to contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oils and other harmful chemicals or illegal substances.

Looking like a USB flash drive, it can be charged by using a USB port on a computer or adapter without teachers or parents realizing what it is. JUUL also quickly fits in the palm of person’s hand or pocket.

Many JUUL’s are being sold illegally to minors by outlets who sell this type of product. The dangers are within plain sight and everyone needs to be diligent in keeping our youth safe from harmful activities and merchants trying to sell illicit items to them.

If a citizen in Cherokee County suspects any wrongful doing by merchants selling tobacco or e-cigarette related products, please contact Local Law Enforcement Authorities.

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