(File Photo by Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha, Wis. — In response to a concerning rise in student vaping, the Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) has implemented vape sensors in middle and high school bathrooms. These devices provide real-time alerts to school administrators when vaping is detected, enabling prompt intervention. Students found with vaping devices or evidence of use will face consequences in accordance with KUSD policies.
Vaping involves inhaling aerosol from electronic devices, often containing nicotine and other harmful substances. These devices are designed to be discreet, resembling everyday items like pens or flash drives, which makes them easy to conceal. Despite federal laws prohibiting sales to individuals under 21, many students acquire these products online or through peers.
The health implications of adolescent vaping are significant. Nicotine exposure during teenage years can adversely affect brain development, impacting areas responsible for attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that nicotine can harm the developing brain until about age 25. Additionally, vaping can lead to poor concentration, anxiety, mood disorders, and sleep disturbances among teenagers.
Recent data indicates a decline in teen vaping rates in Wisconsin. A 2022 survey revealed that approximately 10% of Wisconsin high school students use vaping products, down from 20% in 2018. However, underage sales of these products have risen, with retailer violation rates increasing from 5.5% in 2019 to 13.6% in 2023. This suggests that while usage rates have decreased, access to vaping products among minors remains a pressing concern.
KUSD’s initiative aligns with actions taken by other districts. For instance, the Sheboygan Area School District installed approximately 80 vape sensors across its middle and high schools in early 2024, following unanimous school board approval and an allocation of about $123,266 in budgeted funds.
The funding for KUSD’s vape detectors comes from settlements obtained through class action lawsuits against e-cigarette manufacturers, including JUUL and Altria. As of April 2024, KUSD had received $177,152 from these settlements, with additional payments expected in the future.
KUSD emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in addressing this issue. Families are encouraged to discuss the risks of vaping with their children and utilize available resources to facilitate these conversations. By working together, the community aims to ensure students remain safe, healthy, and focused on learning.
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17 Responses
So now we’re trusting the CDC again? Nicotine is naturally present in our food. Does KUSD intend to ban potatoes and tomatoes because of their high nicotine content? If minors are vaping THC or other illegal substances, that’s a different story. If nicotine is so deadly for human beings, how does the fact that humans can have up to 17 genes in our bodies specifically to process nicotine in a healthful way factor into this manufactured hysteria?
Now, teacher, don’t you fill me up with your rule
‘Cause everybody knows that smokin’ ain’t allowed in school
Comments like this are one of the many reasons you people are so weird.
This is by far the dumbest thing I have ever read online. That says a lot. Congratulations!
Allowing kids to vape in the school would be ridiculous. Who care what it is. The vaping is messing their lungs up. I support the efforts to keep it out of the schools.
{facepalm} the other shit in the vape cartridges are the problem.
Calm down
Tomatoes and potatoes only contain trace amounts of said alkaloid. One would have to consume approximately 102 average sized potatoes to equal the amount of nicotine in a single puff of a vape or 13,000 potatoes to equal the nicotine an average vaper consumes each day from 127 puffs.
How about they ban cell phones- those things are just as dangerous.
Cell phones affect your lungs? What planet you live on?
Nice try troll 😉
Kevin , do some digging on how many times a student can get caught before a ticket is issued and how many tickets have been issued this year at the high-school level. It’s a waste of time and money.
Nicotine is similar to caffeine. Vaping is better than smoking.
No doubt, Vaping is better than smoking. It should be seen as a way to get off smoking cigs. Not a healthy replacement. That’s how most of Europe viewed it. No doubt in my mind that vaping is better. It’s still awful. like really awful. Better than cigarettes is a very low standard. I know several people that vaping helped, but quitting vaping was another (albeit easier) challenge to face.
We have money to buy and install this equipment but have to cut staff because of budget constraints?
This is my favorite type of comment. The article clearly states that the money came from a class-action settlement from major vape manufacturers, but you didn’t read the article but still felt your voice and opinion needed to be heard. 10/10!
How DARE they “vape” in our schools!!
Now head over to one of the 85 “counselors” in each school and start taking these pills so you become the “girl” that you always wanted to be “Steve”.
BUT, of course, DO NOT TELL YOUR PARENTS.
This