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Decatur City Schools crack down on vaping

We spoke to some Decatur Middle School parents to see how they feel about the change. Letoya Hampton tells us, “They have no business vaping anyway, so I’m all...

A letter posted the Decatur City School District’s website said students who are found using or possessing vaping or e-cigarette devices will be sent off campus— to the Center for Alternatives to Suspension. Previously, students who were caught vaping would just face in-school suspension. 

We reached out to Decatur City Schools, they were not available for comment.

Concerns about vaping are on the rise. 

Despite widespread reports of illness, cancer and even death linked to the use of e-cigarettes and vapes– almost 80 percent of young people still feel safe vaping. 

According to the CDC— Last year, 1n in 10 middle school students said they’ve used e-cigarettes in the past month. 1 in 4 high school students said the same. Higher numbers than we’ve ever seen. 

Ann Marie Martin, a Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator with Partnership for a Drug Free Community says, “Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs out there.” 

We stopped by Partnership for a Drug Free Community– an organization that visits schools across the valley and warns of the dangers of smoking. 

E-cigarette companies don’t technically have to report the ingredients of the vape to the FDA. Ann Marie Martin says students don’t know what their actually inhaling. Martin says, “We just think ‘water vapor, steam– that’s what it is’. That’s not what it is– it’s really an aerosol.” 

Martin says parents who know their kids are vaping should be concerned. She adds, “If they have been using a vape– like a Juul– which always contains nicotine. They may be addicted and it’s going to be hard for them to get off that product.” 

We spoke to some Decatur Middle School parents to see how they feel about the school system cracking down on vaping. 

Bessie Clemons says, “I disagree with them smoking, cigarettes– anything at that age. It just shouldn’t be– because it can mean death.” 

Letoya Hampton tells us, “They have no business vaping anyway, so I’m all for it…. The decisions they make now affect their future.” 

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