Thirty-three percent of 188 West Delaware students have at least tried vaping, according to a recent Inklings survey.

Vapes are electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or vapor devices.

The battery-powered devices deliver nicotine through a liquid called e-juice. E-juice turns into white vapor, also known as clouds, when exhaled.

According to Tobacco-Free Kids, high school students nationwide increased their use of nicotine by 38 percent from 2017 to 2018.

An anonymous West Delaware student said they began vaping when they were 16-years-old.  

“Vaping is fun,” they said. “I like making clouds, and it tastes good.” 

Although some device flavors may taste good, Quitline Iowa states that “nicotine is highly addictive, and exposure can harm adolescent brain development.”

Even though not all vapes contain nicotine, other harmful substances are also included such as vape aerosol. Quitline Iowa reports that vape aerosol can “contain heavy metals, ultrafine particulates that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, and cancer-causing agents.”

Reported by Quitline Iowa, second-hand vape can be harmful to one’s health as well.

Health associate Elaine Gibbs said, “Vaping is worse than smoking cigarettes because vaping causes popcorn lung.”

Popcorn lung is another term for bronchitis obliterans.

According to WebMD, bronchitis obliterans makes pockets, which damage the narrow airways in the lungs,.

A survey from Tobacco-Free Kids stated that 27.7 percent of high school students admit to using vapor devices despite all of the severe health effects.

“I don’t get the point of it (vaping) because nothing good comes out of it,” sophomore Taylor Hammer said. “I know I sound like a mom, but it isn’t good for your health. It honestly isn’t any better than a cigarette.”

Some students vape when bored or stressed.

“One day I was stressed so I tried it, and it took my mind off of things,” the anonymous student said.

As stated by Principal Tim Felderman, West Delaware’s school policy prohibits vaping and JUULing. However, the vaping trends are new and Felderman plans on tightening the handbook, even more, to discourage students from using them.

The handbook states: “A student may lose eligibility under the Activities Conduct Policy for any of the following behaviors: possession, use, or purchase of tobacco/nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, vapor devices, and look-alike substances/products regardless of the student’s age.”

West Delaware’s handbook also states that non-activity students will face suspension if found vaping on school grounds.

Biology teacher Joan Salow said, “I am totally against it (vaping) because of the amount of nicotine and because it is advertised toward a young audience.”

Gibbs strongly discourages vaping.

Gibbs said, “It only takes one time to get hooked, so don’t start. Just say no.”