Jillian Gould
Reporter
Sophomore Elizabeth* got hooked on cigarettes in eighth grade and has been trying to quit ever since by using electronic cigarettes, also known as “e-cigs.” However, this new, modern cigarette has not provided the benefits Elizabeth had hoped for. “The e-cigs worked for some time,” she said. “It would alleviate the stress of even wanting to smoke but then after awhile they would run out, and it would make me want to smoke regular cigarettes again.”
More and more kids seem to be turning to this product. “Nationally, I just heard that e-cigarette use is up and that kids that might not have smoked before are using them,” Assistant principal Mr. Rothman said.
Peer pressure has contributed to electronic cigarettes popularity. “All the cool kids did it, so I thought that maybe it would be cool,” sophomore smoker Blair said.
Yet, according to Mr. Rothman, e-cigs have not become a problem at school. “I haven’t seen anybody using them,” he said. “I know there has been a couple instances where a single student has had one, but when asked to put it away, they put it away. It has not been an issue here at school, other than within a couple isolated instances.”
Students have found different things appealing about e-cigarettes. “It’s kind of a stress reliever because you just feel better and more relaxed,” freshman John said.
Some students believe electronic cigarettes are healthier than regular cigarettes. “They’re fun and they’re not bad for you, so it isn’t like anything would happen,” sophomore smoker Ann said.
Elizabeth agreed. “They’re healthier than cigarettes, and there are different flavors that you can have,” she said. “So there’s a different taste to each single one of them.”
According to health teacher Steven Bedard, however, e-cigarettes still have negative health effects despite what some students may think. “They still deliver as much, if not more, nicotine to the user,” he said. “I think some of the health consequences of using e-cigs are still undefined because they are relatively new. So that is worrisome that people are using something they think is safe, when they’re still becoming addicted to nicotine and they are unaware of the consequences of using them long term.”
Although some students smoke e-cigarettes instead of cigarettes, sophomore smoker Alex feels they do not provide the same feeling. “They don’t work all the time, they aren’t a good alternative,” he said. “They don’t give you the same buzz.”
Senior Thomas uses e-cigs as well as regular cigarettes. “I use electronic cigarettes because while you’re in an enclosed area where smoking is not allowed, such as my room, you’re allowed to use an electronic cigarette,” he said. “But outside, with friends and other people, cigarettes are more common, and you smoke those. That’s why I smoke both of them.”
The hazards of electronic cigarettes are similar to regular cigarettes. “Potentially, I think they are just as harmful,” Mr. Bedard said. “Although you may not be getting the chemicals that we know are in cigarettes, you’re still getting a large amount of nicotine, which is still very addictive, and vapors that we don’t know a whole lot about.”
Although electronic cigarettes are different, many students regard them the same as regular cigarettes. “I smoke e-cigs with my friends who normally smoke regular cigarettes because they’re used to being around it,” Elizabeth said. “It is a lot easier than being around people who don’t normally smoke because some people don’t like smoke blowing around in their face, even if it is just water vapor.”
Although e-cigs are illegal for minors to purchase, students have found ways around this obstacle. “I can get them online from amazon, or from people who sell them,” Elizabeth said. “I normally get them from the people who sell them. It is really easy to do.”
Even after reading the Student Handbook, students at the High School may still be confused because it forbids only tobacco products. “Even if it is not a cigarette, per se, it is still violating the rule of tobacco use or tobacco type products,” Mr. Rothman said.
Many parents follow a similar policy, condemning smoking both cigarettes and e-cigarettes “My mom would kill me if she found out I smoked e-cigarettes,” Elizabeth said. “She is against all of that.”
Some parents are not only against it, but may take it personally as well. “My parents have no idea that I use either, and I think they would be really upset and not approve, due to other family members’ poor decisions,” Walker said.
Mr. Rothman supports this strict policy at home. “I would hope that any parent would discourage any use of e-cigarettes or regular cigarettes,” he said.
Mr. Bedard feels it is important that students understand the health consequences if they are going to smoke. “The message that I would give students is that they’re still using a product that delivers a large amount of nicotine and it is still harmful to the body.”
*All names have been changed
