Vaping Survey Concerns Medford School Officials

MEDFORD, MA — Medford school and health officials issued a warning about vaping products this week after the CDC recently declared vaping a public health crisis. Officials said they are concerned about a "surge" of vaping activity nationwide over the past two years.

Medford Community That Cares surveyed students in grades 6-12 in February and found 29.8-37.6 percent of students in grades 9-12 and 5.6-19.8 percent of students in grades 6-8 had tried vaping products. The survey also found that 12.6-27.7 percent of grade 9-12 students and 3.2-8.8 percent of grade 6-8 students had vaped in the past 30 days.

Nationwide, 33 states reported over 450 cases of severe respiratory illness in otherwise healthy adolescents and young adults, including seven recent deaths believed to be related to vaping. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently confirmed 38 cases of vaping-related illness, of which seven are teenagers.

Symptoms of illness included shortness of breath, cough, fever, fatigue, weight loss and gastrointestinal ailments. Some adolescents required hospitalization in intensive care and breathing support. Public health officials are investigating THC (psycho-active component of cannabis), Vitamin E oils and chemical additives as possible causative factors for severe respiratory illness and failure.

Health officials laid out the following tips for addressing vaping concerns:

What is the school doing?

• Prohibits vaping and smoking on school grounds or in school buildings.
• Uses disciplinary measures for students who violate policies as outlined in the MPS Student Handbook, including confiscation of paraphernalia, Saturday detention, suspension, social probation, community service and diversion programs.
• Monitors bathroom use.
• Educates students and staff about the health effects and dangers of vaping.
• Provides information and resources to parents.
• Conducts annual SBIRT screening in grades 7 and 9 to identify students at risk for substance use and misuse.
• Offers in-school counseling for students seeking support within the school environment.
• Refers students to Safe Project for alcohol and substance use counseling.
• Partners with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Medford Board of Health Substance Use and Prevention Office and Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition.

What is the city doing?

• Restricts tobacco/vaping sales to persons over the age of 21 years.
• Requires posted signage on shops that sell tobacco/vaping products.
• Requires each person who sells tobacco/vaping products to verify the age of the buyer as over 21 years.
• Requires stores to have a tobacco product sales permit.
• Bans the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products, except in 21+ stores.
• Bans the sale of blunt wraps and other drug paraphernalia.
• Conducts compliance checks on all stores to enforce regulations.
• Prohibits vaping wherever smoking is prohibited, including parks, playgrounds, restaurants and workplaces.

What can parents do?

• Get the facts! Learn about vaping products, where they are sold and how vaped nicotine and THC affect developing adolescent lungs and brains.
• Talk with your kids and learn about their experiences and thoughts about vaping. Share your values and information about the effects of vaping on adolescents.
• Discourage your kids from buying vaping products off of the street or modifying the pods.
• Reach out to your pediatrician, school counselor or school nurse if you are concerned that your child has a problem with vaping.