- Home
- Healthy People
- Healthy Living
- Smoke-Free Living
- Vaping & Vapor Products
- Vaping Prevention for Schools
Vaping Prevention for Schools
In Snohomish County, 23% of 10th grade students reported currently using vapor devices in 2018 (Washington State Healthy Youth Survey). While this number can vary from district to district, the use of these products among teens in our county is incredibly high.
In order to help both middle and high schools combat this teen epidemic of vaping, the Snohomish County Health Department has created a toolkit of resources to be used at all levels.
Review and strengthen current school tobacco policy
- The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) released a discipline policy update in July of 2019 regarding substance use and possession. This policy update clarified OSPI’s move away from suspension and expulsion for substance related violations, except as a last resort, and encouraged schools to find other ways to help students meet behavior expectations.
- Discipline Policy for Substance Use and Possession
- Many schools and school districts are in the process of updating their discipline policies regarding tobacco related violations. Please see the attached document for snapshot of what high schools and middle schools are doing in our county
- Snohomish County School’s Vaping Policies
- All schools need to have clear signage indicating the prohibition of tobacco products. If your school needs more signs, please contact us
- Make sure all your staff (not just health teachers and discipline staff) are educated on vapor devices – what they look like, why they are dangerous for teens to be using, and what the school policy is regarding vaping devices. You can use the materials provided below or you can contact the Snohomish Health District to request a training presentation for school staff.
- Vapor Education Presentation
- Vapor Education Presentation Announcement
- As a school administrator (school nurse, counselor, prevention/intervention specialist, or other staff member), educating parents and enlisting their supporting in preventing teen vaping use is critical. Many adults have little knowledge about vapor devices, what’s in them, or why they might be dangerous to their teen.
- Vapor Education Presentation
- Vapor Education Presentation Announcement
- There are many good informational videos available on youtube that can be used to educate teens about the dangers of vaping. Perhaps you can play some of these videos during your school’s morning announcements, during school assemblies, sporting events, band concerts, or other important school activities with large general student participation. Recommended videos include:
- Have a designated staff member as an in-depth facilitator (help combat nicotine addiction)
- INdepth facilitor
- Integrate skills-based lessons into all subject matter – include lessons on marketing, persuasion, communication, money management, peer pressure, stress management, anxiety in every subject through all the grades not just in 1 health class
- Establish prevention clubs with prevention activities
- Curriculum and informational websites for schools:
- Stanford Medicine - Tobacco Prevention Toolkit
- Scholastic - The Real Cost of Vaping
- Know the risks: A youth guide to e-cigarettes
- Still Blowing Smoke
- Truth Initiative