Congress and President Trump recently took several steps to limit access to tobacco and vaping products to young people, but much more still needs to be done to adequately address the vaping crisis in schools. Principals and educators can make a difference right now by sending a message to their members of Congress urging them to support S. 1832, the Smoke Free Schools Act, and H.R. 2339, the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act.
The use of e-cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) has increased at an alarming rate in schools and among today’s youth. More than three million middle and high-schoolers use e-cigarettes today, and from 2017 - 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded a nearly 48 percent increase in e-cigarette use among middle schoolers and a nearly 78 percent increase in e-cigarette use among high schoolers.
Serious health risks associated with nicotine and youth brain development are well documented and must be prevented. School leaders also know all too well that vaping in schools has become incredibly disruptive to learning environments. That’s why it’s critical that you share your story and a message of support with your elected legislators today.