By MATT LINDSEY

North Country Now

Local school districts have implemented vaping policies after numerous instances of students using vape products on school property.

Vaping refers to using electronic cigarettes. They vaporize a glycol solution that is mixed with flavoring and usually nicotine, although some people who use them vape solution with no nicotine. The clouds that are exhaled mostly contain water vapor, since there is no combustion would otherwise create smoke. Tobacco companies pitch electronic cigarettes as a safer alternative to smoking, although the nicotine is just as addictive.

Superintendents at Canton, Potsdam and Norwood-Norfolk schools stated they have dealt with numerous cases of youth vaping or having vape materials on school grounds. NNCS and Potsdam have had policies in place, and Canton Central recently updated their policy.

Although Parishville-Hopkinton Central does not have a policy now, they expect to soon.

The PHCS Board of Education is conducting a policy review, according to Superintendent William “Bill” Collins. This process includes updating any out-of-date policies.

On Jan. 17 Massena Central banned vaping and vape products in school. MCS Superintendent Patrick Brady stated that vaping “has become a major issue in schools across the country.”

“The year began with numerous reports of students vaping,” said Ron Burke, CCS superintendent. “As students were found to be in possession of vaping materials or were caught vaping, the school relied upon the Code of Conduct to address each situation.”

He said staff has been vigilant in monitoring for signs and reporting concerns to administrators.

The number of students at Norwood-Norfolk Central School who vape is likely gaining in popularity, according to Superintendent Jamie Cruikshank.

“We were one of the first schools in the North Country to place a ban on vaping into our Board policies about three or four years ago,” he said.

Cruikshank said staff did not see a lot of vaping on school grounds until this year. “Now, it's grown immensely in popularity, or so we believe.”

The use of e-cigarettes by students is already prohibited by Potsdam Central’s Code of Conduct.

“Like other schools, we have experienced a dramatic uptick in the number of students vaping at school or on school property,” Potsdam Central Superintendent Joann Chambers said.

“Vaping will be addressed; however, it should be pointed out that vaping is prohibited on school property (by state law),” PHCS Superintendent Collins said.

Without getting too specific to his district, Collins said that vaping is an issue of concern across the nation and that the state, North Country and PHCS are not immune.

“We're concerned about the immediate and long-term health risks to our children,” Cruikshank said. The school has attempted to combat the issue with education through weekly communication with the community.

In addition to assigning disciplinary consequences, PCS is providing educational programming that they hope will help address the problem.

“The principals and I are including information for parents via our parent newsletters,” Chambers said.

The Seaway Valley Prevention Council is scheduled to visit the district in early February to provide information to PCS high school faculty, and give a presentation to high school students on the serious health risks associated with vaping.