
Vaping has become a rising issue in schools, with more and more kids getting involved. The harm caused by vaping is serious. The nicotine and metals inhaled through vapes are highly toxic. Some students vape almost daily and spend hundreds—sometimes even thousands—of dollars on vapes. It’s not only dangerous due to the risk of lung disease, but it can also increase the risk of cancer.
Vaping has created problems for both schools and parents. Students are becoming addicted, and some are even vaping in school bathrooms just to get a quick hit. The addiction is growing rapidly, and for many, it feels nearly impossible to stop.
This has become a major challenge for teachers and school staff. Some schools have started installing vape detectors in bathrooms and classrooms, which can be costly. School administrators also have to manage the rising number of students caught vaping—or even selling vapes to their classmates. Parents are often shocked and upset when they learn their child is vaping. It has become something that many students are good at hiding.
Some students even skip class to vape, which means they fall behind academically. Their health suffers too. Over time, nicotine addiction affects energy levels, focus, and overall well-being. What might seem like a quick way to relieve stress ends up creating more problems than it solves. Not only is vaping physically harmful, but it also leads to a long-lasting addiction.
Nicotine addiction can trap users in a cycle. A student might start by vaping once a week, but soon it becomes daily, then hourly. The number of vapes being purchased and used continues to rise, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down.
This cycle is incredibly hard to break—especially when addiction begins at a young age. A student might wake up and immediately reach for a vape. During class, they struggle to concentrate, thinking about when they’ll be able to vape again. After school, instead of doing homework or spending time with family, they’re caught in a loop of needing another hit.
In the long term, the health risks are serious. Vaping can damage the lungs, heart, brain, and other parts of the body. Beyond the risk of cancer and lung disease, it affects nearly every system in the body.
Vaping might seem like a small thing, but it’s turning into a huge issue. Students need to understand what they’re risking. It’s important for schools, parents, and even other students to work together to educate and protect each other from falling into an addiction that’s difficult to escape.
Panther Press serves as the voice of the journalism students at Glen Edwards Middle School. The views on this site do not reflect the views of WPUSD or the admin at GEMS. Our goal is to promote student expression and provide a platform for diverse voices and viewpoints within our campus community.