Vaping in the Boys Room: NY Bans E-Cigarettes From School Grounds

As of now, vaping is banned on any and all school grounds in New York. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation Tuesday which will immediately ban the use of electronic cigarettes on all public and private school grounds in the state. It's an attempt to stop the explosion in teen use of e-cigarettes.

E-cigarette use by New York high school students nearly doubled in the last two years, from 10.5 percent in 2014 to 20.6 percent in 2016, according to a survey by state health officials released in March.

Nationwide, a recent U.S. Surgeon General's report shows the number of high school students using e-cigarettes soared 900 percent between 2011 and 2015, becoming the most commonly used form of nicotine among youths.

"Nicotine use in any form has shown to be damaging to teens and this measure will close a dangerous loophole that allows e-cigarettes to be used in New York schools," Cuomo said in an announcement about the ban. "This measure will further this administration's efforts to combat teen smoking in all its forms and help create a stronger, healthier New York for all."

School grounds includes any building, structure and surrounding outdoor grounds contained within a public or private pre-school, nursey school, elementary, or secondary school's property, and any vehicles used to transport children or school personnel.

"School yards should be full of the laughter of healthy children, not e-cigarette vapor," said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. "Banning e-cigarette use on school grounds statewide will help reduce e-cigarette use rates among our young people and will protect the health and safety of their growing bodies. New York has taken the lead in protecting people against the dangers associated with e-cigarette use and exposure. I applaud the Governor for signing this legislation and look forward to this ban being expanded to include all public indoor spaces."

Electronic nicotine and vapor delivery systems, which include e-cigarettes, vaping pens, e-hookah and similar devices, typically contain nicotine. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can cause addiction and harm the developing adolescent brain.

Prohibiting electronic cigarettes on all school grounds will diminish youth access to electronic cigarettes and help bolster New York's commitment to preventing childhood and teenage smoking, officials said.