by Courtney Girasole
Vape is not safe
With all the fun new flavors, bright colors and clever marketing, vaping has taken over schools across America. A main ingredient in many e-cigarettes is nicotine, a highly addictive substance that alters the brain’s function. The CDC states that 1.63 million students vape or use tobacco products. With social media on the rise, tobacco products are easily seen by teens in movies, tv shows, TikTok, and other commercials.Vaping companies rope kids into vaping, the same way companies roped kids into cigarettes years ago. There are several factors that contribute to the marketing of vapes. The companies advertise vapes as a “better way” to quit cigarettes. A lot of nicotine brands also partner with big companies to promote their products.
At Northern, kids are educated about the dangers of vaping in their health classes. There are several resources posted around the school on billboards and posters with phone numbers and websites to find help.Northern also offers a club called, Vaping unplugged, that meets every Wednesday in Mrs. Aleys room. They discuss how vaping affects different parts of your body and brainstorm ways to spread the message around the school. The group has health professionals come in and talk to them, They do presentations, make posters, take field trips and have parties. Vaping is so addictive to teens because the brain is not fully developed, so kids are more susceptible to it. Vaping unplugged understands that kids do vape and just telling them to stop will not help. If they understand the short and long term damage they will reconsider. Having a support system and knowing you are not alone is what vaping unplugged strives to give to kids who are struggling.
On October 31st, Northern hosted a health fair, the Vaping unplugged club partnered with the Calvert County Health Department to teach kids the effects of vaping. Different demonstrations were shown to students to warn them of what is to come. For example, a jar filled with 2 weeks worth of flem from a smoker’s body. A fake pair of denatures with yellow teeth and oral cancer to show students that once the protecting coat of plaque on your teeth is gone it never comes back. Around the gym were different tables with activities, games, and prizes for learning how to protect your health.
With time, we will know more about the effects of e-cigarettes. The new flavors and brands are just being introduced and without years of studying the effects no one is sure what they can do to you. Regardless, there’s always help in and outside of school. If you are struggling or know someone who is, see Mrs. Aley in room 217