LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – As students return to classrooms, school districts continue their fight against e-cigarettes. Experts and advocates want to educate parents and educators about e-cigarette technology that could lead to further action.

“Smoking has always been cool, now vaping is cool too. But the cruel thing is that it’s addictive,” said Dale Person, director of public safety for the Lansing School District.

The number of students vaping is a growing problem, as is the variety of vaping products that can escape the untrained eye. Person said schools are using metal and vaping detectors to prevent children from vaping during the school day.

“This allows us to find out who is actually vaping. Usually we find that students are vaping in the bathroom,” Person said.

Colorful packaging, different flavors and now e-cigarettes with classic arcade games. Everything to attract young vapers, says Yolanda Richardson of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

“This is not for adults, this is for children. We really need to be careful that these products do not come onto the market,” Richardson said.

E-cigarettes, popular among teens, contain nicotine equivalent to one to seven packs of cigarettes. Vaping has long-term health consequences such as lung damage and exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, and can worsen anxiety and depression. Pediatrician Jose Cucalon-Calderon says there are signs parents may notice in their children.

“They sleep less, have more time for themselves and are a bit withdrawn. They try to break their routine to catch the next train,” said Cucalon-Calderon.

Although many districts are taking tough measures against e-cigarettes, school and health experts say vaping prevention starts at home and that parents should contact their child’s school for additional support.

“This helps us take care of the child and give him the support he needs,” Person said.

Support that can help reduce e-cigarette addiction so students can focus on the year ahead.

According to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than 2 million children nationwide use e-cigarettes and nearly 90% of them use flavored products.

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