A worrisome lifestyle is fanning among the youth of Alexander City. During a regularly scheduled board of education meeting on Thursday, November 17, Alexander City Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly Price publicly announced students vaping and associated smoking habits to be a massive concern.
“We observed a significant increase in vaping at our high school last year.” “We do have an issue,” Price said, citing the highest number of incidents reported.
As a result, the school board certified a collaboration with the KinderVision Foundation last week to help fight e-cigarette use in local schools.
Dr. Marilyn Lewis spoke to the board of directors last week as an official of the charitable group. Lewis is a former education, prevention, and support services administrator for the Alabama State Department of Education.
Lewis revealed that the KinderVision Foundation aims to start a campaign to raise awareness in five school systems throughout the state, which includes Alexander City Schools, using a grant provided by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Nevertheless, before going any further, Lewis investigated the extent of the issue among the youth. Lewis revealed that 3.6 million U.S. students have vaped in the past 30 days, with roughly 20% of that estimate likely consisting of students in high school.
Despite their popularity, Lewis referred to e-cigarettes and vaping as goods “in disguise.”
“Vaping is the process of using an electronic nicotine gadget, and upon inhaling a vape, we breathe out compounds that we now know are dangerous.” “This is not a substitute for smoking,” she explained.
According to a presentation by Lewis, electronic cigarettes contain carcinogenic compounds that non-users can breathe, posing a risk of second-hand smoking. Moreover, Lewis indicated that, apart from toxic substances, vaping can become addictive.
For example, Lewis noted that a single e-liquid pod contains a similar quantity of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. Though, Lewis attributes the chemical’s prominence to its appealing flavors as well as distinct canisters. Cigarette manufacturers, according to Lewis, design vaping equipment discretely for smoother concealment.
“We have products that mimic juice boxers, lollipops, as well as Sour Patch [Kids].” Products disguised for our youth,” Lewis said. “There is therefore a large market for youths, but by educating children, we help mitigate the possibility for school-going children to start using.”
Lewis wishes to tackle the problem and offer schoolchildren an appropriate preventive initiative via a school partnership.
“This grant will enable us to evaluate Alexander City’s tobacco policy and provide some suggestions that will benefit students,” she explained. “There’s also a curriculum that permits us to go into grades nine through twelve and educate students about tobacco products and vaping.”
Price lauded the campaign and urged the school district’s board of education to move forward with the initiative.
“I think it’s very essential as we desire to educate rather than discipline, and we would like to be aggressive,” Price said.
