Vaping creates a magnitude of negative mental and physical effects on young students

Vaping, an epidemic impacting high school students world-wide, has invaded Bowie’s bathrooms. Bathroom stalls are filled with students during passing periods, lunches and during classes, fiending for nicotine. The addictive chemical protrudes in the lives of our student body throughout the day, every day. 

It is imperative that Bowie students stop vaping and take back their lives.

In a 2021 study by the FDA, it was released that over two million high school students in America admitted to using e-cigarettes. In a survey released by SingleCare in 2019, 27.5% of high school students confessed to vaping regularly. An alarming amount of American teenagers have become dependent on nicotine products in recent years, and Bowie kids participate in the problem.  

Despite teachers and administrators efforts to spread awareness regarding vaping, it is a big issue at our school. 

Striving to battle the epidemic,the Bowie administration is doing what it can to educate students about the toxic chemicals e-cigarettes contain, and the consequences of using vape pens.

It is important that this information reaches more students so they know the truth about what they are inhaling and its effects on their bodies. 

These devices contain chemicals like toluene, an ingredient in nail polish and paint, formaldehyde which is used to preserve corpses, and lead which is a known carcinogenic.

These toxins fill your lungs and constrict blood flow. Many are proven to cause cancer, leukemia, kidney failure, and damage to lung tissue. 

No matter how much the administration does to educate students, the powerful addictive chemicals combined with the peer pressure behind smoking means not enough students are breaking the habit.

For many it starts with insecurity, defiance, internal struggles, or just simply taking a hit with a friend in a weak moment.

The best solution is that the school works to offer anonymous support for students. Two groups on campus have started this process.

Student leadership worked with school nurse Shari Peterson to bring a new program called ‘No Vape October’ to campus.

The goal of the program is to provide support for students who want to quit and to encourage those who might start to avoid vaping.

Students who sign up by texting ‘NOVAPEBOWIE’ to 88709 are connected with a support group that is there to send encouraging messages, and even emergency texts.

We strongly support this program, and even though the imitative is only scheduled to run through October, we hope that various groups across campus will continue to help their fellow students kick their vaping habits.

There are other consequences to vaping, as students who are caught vaping are susceptible to a referral or  suspension and any offense requires parent involvement or an administration decision.

Students should be aware that these kinds of actions leave marks on their permanent records, which might lead to future problems with college applications.

It isn’t just school where kids might have problems, the use or possession of these things are also illegal off-campus as you have to be over 21 to own or purchase nicotine products.

This issue isn’t just about vaping but it’s about your future. You are putting yourself at risk every time you take a hit on that vape pen. You are risking your life. You need to stop in order to protect yourself.

We want Bowie to be an educational environment where students feel comfortable to learn. The vaping issues hurt our reputation as a top area school.

Do the right thing Bowie, stop vaping. Seniors, set a good example for the underclass students and go out in the world without that addiction hanging over you.

If you need help, there are resources and people who can support you. It starts with a simple text to 88709.