Bernards High School To Crack Down On Vaping

BERNARDSVILLE, NJ — Beginning Tuesday, Bernards High School will be taking stronger actions against students found in possession of an e-cigarette or vape, Principal Scott Neigel announced in a letter to parents Thursday.

"Despite harsher consequences for possession and use of electronic smoking devices, we are unfortunately still experiencing problems with these devices," Neigel said.

Due to some students using these devices to ingest marijuana oils, the Somerset Hills Board of Education recently adopted a revision to the Pupil Smoking Regulation (5533) that would treat vaping not only as a violation of smoking policies but also a potential violation of substance abuse policies

The revised policy reads:

Students in possession of an electronic smoking device on school grounds or at a school event off-school grounds will be subject to the Somerset Hills School District Policy 5530 - Substance Abuse. Possession of an electronic smoking device will constitute reasonable suspicion of a student potentially being currently under the influence of controlled dangerous substances on school grounds. Students found to be in violation of Policy 5530 will receive discipline in accordance with Regulation 5530. Students found to be in violation of Policy 5533, but not Policy 5530 will be assigned appropriate discipline in accordance with the school’s pupil discipline/code of conduct.

Two assemblies will be held on Monday to inform students of the change in policy. The assemblies will also be used to educate students about making healthy decisions with regard to electronic smoking devices.

Additionally, beginning on Tuesday any student found in possession of an e-cigarette or vape will be sent out for a drug screen in accordance with Policy 5530. The results of the test will determine whether consequences will be administered for a violation of the pupil smoking policy or a violation of the substance abuse policy, Neigel said.

Nearby school districts such as Bernards Township and Bridgewater-Raritan have also adopted similar policies.

• See Related: Basking Ridge To Crack Down On Vaping
• See Related: Bridgewater HS To Crack Down On Vaping

(Image via Getty Images/Justin Sullivan)

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