by Taleesha Phillips
Vaping is still an issue at Bethel Regional High School (BRHS). It is a distraction from school work and important activities from students’ day to day lives. Mrs. Miner said, “This year 10 kids at BRHS got caught with vapes, resulting in suspension from school or being taken off sport teams or other extra curricular activities.”
But we should be asking why kids are vaping in the first place? Ms. Rearden said, “It’s maybe a way of coping and thinking it’s an easier way out of day to day stress. Or they tried it as a kid, and it is really mentally addictive to where they can’t stop or peer pressure from friends or family.”
Also we should look at the side effects of vaping nicotine.
“Vaping can cause liquid pneumonia (fluid in the lungs), popcorn lung, damage to tissue in the lungs, heart disease, shortness of breath, headaches, increased stroke risk (due to lack of oxygen), and other substances present in the vaped products such as propylene glycol (used in antifreeze) or vitamin e acetate (commonly used to dilute nicotine or the products) may/can cause “vaping associated pulmonary injury.” (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention)
We should spread more awareness about this recurring problem to help reduce the nicotine use in this school, so everyone knows what they are putting in their lungs/body and make healthier choices to better themselves.
This is reprinted from the October 31st, 2024 edition of the Warrior Weekly by the Bethel Regional High School.
