Vaping

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

So in my state (MA) they have banned the sale of all vaping devices for the next 4 months due to the increase in severe disease being linked to vaping/certain vaping devices.

The number of students already caught this year is skyrocketing. And discipline alone isn't helping possible addiction, we are looking at alternative discipline options. I'm building up all the resources I can as part of a larger team (and any folks have that they want to offer, please do).

How is the vaping scene going for my fellow MS/HS nurses?

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

it was pretty rampant here last year, particularly in the winter. The kids would go out for recess on the cold days and claim that the "smoke" coming away from the group was from their breath. Yeah, suuure... last time i checked, middle schooler's breath didn't smell like cotton candy. But... what do they expect us to do? Frisk these kids? No - hard pass.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

2 minutes ago, Flare said:

it was pretty rampant here last year, particularly in the winter. The kids would go out for recess on the cold days and claim that the "smoke" coming away from the group was from their breath. Yeah, suuure... last time i checked, middle schooler's breath didn't smell like cotton candy. But... what do they expect us to do? Frisk these kids? No - hard pass.

Yep, we are at the same spot at my school. So we are really trying to focus on education and support for students that want to quit.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

I was glad to see on line today ( I hope it is true) , that JUUL is stopping all advertising?

[ContraryMary]

My 16 yr old is already addicted. We've caught him with 7 different times with a JUUL. SEVEN! I have tried everything but nothing has worked. I'm at a loss. He's a good kid but none of the punishments have phased him.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

40 minutes ago, ContraryMary said:

My 16 yr old is already addicted. We've caught him with 7 different times with a JUUL. SEVEN! I have tried everything but nothing has worked. I'm at a loss. He's a good kid but none of the punishments have phased him.

That must be so frustrating. Good Luck!

[Feral.Cat.Herder, RN]

I'm not up on the latest vaping news/regs and it doesn't seem to be a significant problem in my school district at this time.

My question is why does it only seem to be seriously affecting/causing death of young people. I know a lot of adults older than 40 yo that vape and have for years and they don't have obvious lung issues (who knows what may be going on superficially).

Could it be thatsince these kids are underage they are getting vape juice or e-cigs on the "black market". If so it's untelling what all may be in it. I can imagine some dude looking like he is off the movie Wrong Turn in a back room somewhere making this juice/oil for vaping and roaches and rats running rampant.

I've also read that a lot of these kids admit they were vaping HTC oil and CBD oil... I don't think that's ever been approved for vaping. Perhaps they are thinking they will get high.

Thoughts?

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I was wondering the same. I would imagine that perhaps the vape fluid affects young lungs and lungs not already damaged by smoking. I have a relative who enjoys his vapes so much that when you see him, he has a whole line up of types and flavors. If he hasn't gotten sick from it than there's got to be more to it. I also think the black market aspect has something to do with it. The kids can get high from the THC vapes, the CBD has no hallucinogenic properties, but are readily available in stores, gas stations, online, boardwalk shops, etc... actually, i was surprised at the amount of cbd and kratom products available at the exxon down the street from me.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

44 minutes ago, Feral.Cat.Herder said:

I'm not up on the latest vaping news/regs and it doesn't seem to be a significant problem in my school district at this time.

My question is why does it only seem to be seriously affecting/causing death of young people. I know a lot of adults older than 40 yo that vape and have for years and they don't have obvious lung issues (who knows what may be going on superficially).

Could it be thatsince these kids are underage they are getting vape juice or e-cigs on the "black market". If so it's untelling what all may be in it. I can imagine some dude looking like he is off the movie Wrong Turn in a back room somewhere making this juice/oil for vaping and roaches and rats running rampant.

I've also read that a lot of these kids admit they were vaping HTC oil and CBD oil... I don't think that's ever been approved for vaping. Perhaps they are thinking they will get high.

Thoughts?

My guess is that adults are probably not looking so much for the high of THC but the ease of nicotine cravings? Maybe they are less likley to use black market items?

[BettyGirard, BSN]

There was just some report that nearly all the THC-laden vape juices have cyanide precursors in them.

Still, it's not advisable that students vape even if it were a perfectly safe nicotine delivery mechanism.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

17 minutes ago, BettyGirard said:

There was just some report that nearly all the THC-laden vape juices have cyanide precursors in them.

Still, it's not advisable that students vape even if it were a perfectly safe nicotine delivery mechanism.

Totally agree!

[Nurse Trini]

We have been instructed to get very aggressive on vaping. I've been ordered to carefully check the students who come into the office for the various paraphernalia (e-cigs, vials, etc...). We've added cotinine (nicotine) testing to our regular drug testing. Still, it's a drop in the bucket (they've talked about screening all students but I don't know if it will come to that).

If we find the paraphernalia we can place the student on ongoing sanctions (as if we caught them with drugs or whatever). If it's just a positive cotinine test we inform the parents (and possibly they get disqualified from athletics, not my department).