Is Teen Vaping an Epidemic?

By Madison O’Leary

It is common knowledge that many teenagers experiment with alcohol and various drugs at some point in their high school careers. Recently, however, teens have started experimenting with a new drug phenomenon: JUULs and vaping. JUUL devices heat up a cartridge containing oils to create vapor, which quickly dissolves into the air. The device is small enough to fit in a closed fist and has a sleek, tech-inspired design that resembles a USB flash drive according to Truth Initiative.

Right now, there is not a significant amount of research on the product, so teens have no way of measuring how truly dangerous this drug is or could be since the product delivers an extremely potent and concentrated hit of nicotine or marijuana in the cartridge. Knowing this information provokes the question: Is teen vaping an epidemic and is it a problem in Council Rock’s community?

According to a May 2019 survey, 11% of the Council Rock North students surveyed are experimenting with vaping. However, 97% of the students surveyed believe that vaping is a problem in this school’s community. Currently, few students use these products, but vape/JUUL usage is on the rise.

The most recent nation-wide survey shows that the number of teens vaping has jumped ten percent within the last year. Vaping is reported to be at an “all time high,” although that observation is understandable since the technology is new.

Council Rock North’s Mr. Horn, health and physical education teacher, also participated in an interview to give a teacher’s perspective on the issue.
 
Q: As someone who works with children, what concerns you the most about vaping/drug use?
A: I would say that it’s the in-vogue thing now, and we don’t really know enough about it to know the dangers. I’m concerned because I know a lot of people are doing it, and it’s the cool thing to do right now. [The students] don’t really know what could happen to them. Back in the day, people smoked cigarettes all the time, then years later, [researchers] found out they’re really bad for you. Right now, I worry that we don’t have the research necessary to know the long-term risks of vaping.

Q: How common do you believe vaping is in our school’s community?
A: I haven’t seen anyone [vaping] but hearing the way that some students talk leads me to believe that it is somewhat prevalent here.

Q: Do you believe that teen vaping is an epidemic?
A: Right now, I would say no, but I believe that it’s on its way. I think it’s trending right now, which is very scary.

Q: Do you believe teens are educated enough on the health risks of smoking/vaping?
A: Personally, I would say no. Where I taught before coming to Council Rock, there was a unit on tobacco and marijuana, and they made the kids take a vape-education course, but the kids didn’t take it seriously. Also, people at my age don’t engage in [vaping], so not many people know what it really is. Even teachers don’t have a good grasp on what [vaping] is, so I definitely don’t think the students do either.

​Q: What advice would you give to students who are experimenting with vaping?
A: I would never tell anyone what to do, but my best advice for anything in life is you should always weigh the pros and the cons and know the risks.
 
Despite not knowing the risks of vaping, teens continue to engage in these activities. Vaping is on the rise, and more teens use JUULs and other products annually. Although vaping is not an epidemic yet, it may be on its way, and Council Rock is not immune.

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