Kentucky Schools Clamp Down on Rising Teen Smoking and Vaping

Teen smoking is no longer being taken lightly in Kentucky. Data from a recent study by Tobacco Free Kids suggests that the number of teen smokers in the state is rising at an alarming rate, with 4.9% of teens now lighting up — a figure that surpasses the national average by more than 1%.

Kentucky Ahead of the Curve

Dr. Augusta Mayfield, who tracks teen smoking rates, says the commonwealth is sprinting ahead of the national average. “Teens across the country typically make up a percentage of 3.8% smokers, but we are higher than the average here,” states Mayfield.

Vaping is also looming as a big problem, especially among youth. Approximately 27% of teens have tried vaping at least once, according to a doc we chatted with. Mayfield elaborates on the attractiveness of the habit saying, “There’s a lure to it — they’re fruit flavored, they’re candy flavored.” It’s clear that the lure of flavors makes vaping more appealing to kids, resulting in Kentucky being one of the top states for this activity, according to a study done by
Forbes. 

Mayfield reveals, “We are the top state in the nation for vaping, just right behind Tennessee.”

Tackling The Issue Head-On

It’s all hands on deck in the state’s legislature. Early this year, Gov. Andy Beshear approved House Bill 142. This law obliges schools to impose policies penalizing students for the possession or use of alternative nicotine, tobacco, or vapor products.

Assistant Principal Cy Williams of Bowling Green Junior High School has led the way in devising penalties for students caught puffing away at school. According to Williams, “The first offense would result in a Saturday educational opportunity, where students would have to take part in a nicotine cessation program.”

A second infringement leads to disciplinary action, while a third offense implies attending another seminar on nicotine’s damaging effects. Williams concludes, “Our ultimate goal with students is to impart educational components whenever they make mistakes.”

Embedding Prevention in Education

In fact, some teachers have taken it upon themselves to incorporate lessons about the risks of vaping into their curriculum. Doing so throws an additional safety net, preventing more kids from jumping into the vaping trend. The new law also asks schools to hand out evidence-based, age-appropriate nicotine harm prevention and cessation guides to all pupils at the onset of the academic year.

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