How Universities Are Handling Student Vaping

Vaping is a trending activity performed by lots of university students nowadays. For most students, university vape is a statement of coolness. For others, peer pressure does the trick. Although vape exposes your lungs to fewer toxins as compared to traditional cigarettes, nonetheless it is harmful. For example, CDC has confirmed almost 60 deaths due to vaping. In the US, Juuling is another term for vaping on college campuses. This cigarette is slimmer than usual and therefore, is easy to hide. Once you get the hit of nicotine, it is not easy to let go of that feeling. In this article, we will have a look at the steps taken to control student vaping.

Main Steps that Are Taken by University Authorities
Teachers and parents always want the best for their children. But they do not understand the circumstances the student was in when they started vaping or smoking. How many college students vape? So about 40% of the student are involved and carry this habit from high school. The following steps are being taken to control this pandemic habit that causes some illnesses.

1. Surveying Student Vaping
Universities in the US are taking a major step by asking the students individually. Some students find it difficult to get assignments done on time and that builds pressure and pushes them to release the stress by vaping. Of course, they would not answer openly, therefore, anonymous surveys with the terms JUUL and vape were put up.

This led to more students admitting the use and opening up. If the students do not accept the problem, they won’t do anything to help themselves. If the students see that the school authorities are taking an initiative to understand the problem, they might come to receive the help they need.

2. Providing Student Vaping Cessation Programs
Kansas, on the other hand, has taken a different approach. They want to help the students by hosting vaping cessation programs within the university. Many students want to stop vaping but the addiction makes it impossible. Therefore, they bring several students under the same roof to help them.
This also makes it possible for the students to see that they are not alone in this problem. These programs are intended to address the problems related to smoking and vaping. With an understanding counselor, students might get the help they deserve. These programs can also be held online where each student’s need is to be kept in mind.

3. Offering Peer-to-Peer Talk
Students would never go to any teacher directly accepting their problem because that would mean punishment as per the laws of the school. But if their peers can help them out, it would be a good step to start. The Chaminade University of Honolulu, this approach has been used where a few students are taught about counseling others. In that way, their friends can get a proper plan for quitting. Vaping cannot be stopped overnight. But patience and proper approach have helped many students at the university.

4. Focusing on the Issue and Bringing Awareness
Making the students aware of the harmful effects and the pull factor of nicotine is another way to control vaping. The same Chaminade University of Honolulu has created another brilliant plan. They have mastered two students to talk about vaping. Then, they went to the dorm and talked about it like friends would do. Knowing that someone has gone through the same problem and got help might spark some hope in the students.

5. Coping with the Bigger Epidemic
Smoking cigarettes releases toxic chemicals into the lungs and a large amount of nicotine. Lung damage is far worse in this case than vaping. Some universities in the UK are opening up the campus for vaping while closing the gates to smoking. Students can switch to vaping which will decrease the rate of damage done to the lungs.
It is a rather unconventional approach but it is done to curb the bigger problem. It has truly helped the students. They have a special vape place on the campus with filters. The reason behind it is stricter regulations for advertising and a lower amount of nicotine.

Final Thoughts on Student Vaping
Vaping may have dangerous side effects. They might not be seen in the short term but long-term lung diseases (while never proven) are no way of living life. It is the most difficult task to make a person stop smoking. Therefore, the school authorities should try to bring awareness of how it will affect them in the future. The students need to know why they should not start it. If a student does not smoke, they shouldn’t start vaping. That said, if a student smokes cigarettes, vaping is definitely the best way to step down to a smoke/vape free life.
Also, it is important for students to understand that being popular is not important. And if a student wants to be popular, it should be based on academics or co-curricular activities, not by vaping. The university authorities should not give any preferences to popular kids because that will only enhance the problems.