Quad Cities Schools Cracking Down on E-Cigarettes and Vaping

The FDA announced an ultimatum on the crackdown of e-cigarette use among teens and Quad Cities schools respond.

E-cigarette and vape usage has gone up so much that the FDA is cracking down on manufacturers and expecting stricter guidelines.

According to studies conducted in 2015-2016 at www.drugabuse.gov,

"Teens are more likely to use e-cigarettes than cigarettes. Past-month use of cigarettes was 3.6 percent among 8th graders, 6.3 percent among 10th graders, and 11.4 percent among 12th graders. Past-month use of e-cigarettes was 9.5 percent among 8th graders, 14.0 percent among 10th graders, and 16.2 percent among 12 graders. Two times as many boys use e-cigs as girls."

Moline high school enforcement officer, Ryan Brownell told WQAD.com this week that,

“Any student that’s caught with tobacco products or with tobacco whether they are 18 or not, if it’s on school property or they are a student we confiscate the products and they also receive school discipline,”

Since some e-cigs and vapes are easy to conceal because they don't look like cigarettes, identifying them in the classroom can be difficult. Until I read the article at WQAD.com, I had no idea they can even look like USB drives.

No doubt, if it's the new 'in' trend and tastes like fruity flavors, teens are going to want to try it. It takes everyone doing their part in our community and at home to help our kids not want to hurt themselves. Kids are experimental and we must lead and guide them to help them want to keep themselves safe. As parents, we can preach all day long about what they 'shouldn't' be doing. It's when they make the choice for themselves that ultimately empowers them.