TOPEKA — Kansas educators are looking for ways to respond to what some are calling a vaping epidemic in the state’s schools.
The officials told the Board of Education Tuesday the number of students vaping using electronic cigarettes increased by 80 percent between 2017 and 2018.
The Kansas News Service reports vaping nearly always involves nicotine, which is addictive, and uses flavors that appeal to younger smokers.
The Centers for Disease Control says not enough research has been done to determine the health consequences of vaping.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is recommending more education to ensure that students know e-cigarettes contain nicotine.
The department also recommended helping teachers better identify vaping because the devices look like pens or USB drives and give off little smoke.
