With the media spotlight on recent deaths and severe illnesses related to vaping and other adverse effects, including the highly addictive nature of nicotine, Region 4 administrators are hoping to not only enforce the consequences of vaping on school property, but also educate community youths and their parents about the problem, both what it is and what its effects are.

“I have to commend the current administration, faculty, and staff of Region 4 for paying close attention to the trend in vaping and taking the necessary proactive steps to educate the kids and families about this health risk,” said Superintendent of School Brian White. “The subject is addressed in the Valley Regional High School [VRHS] Health 1 curriculum and I feel that the schools have been very thoughtful about the disciplinary actions that are being taken if a student is found vaping on school property.”

Currently at VRHS, if a student is found vaping on school property or in possession of vaping apparatus, the consequences include an automatic one-day, in-house suspension, which goes on the student’s permanent record. In addition, the town state trooper is contacted, as are the student’s parents and, if the student is aged 16 or older, they are subject to a fine of $50. The student is also required to read literature on the harmful effects of vaping and do some reflection, as well as some written work about vaping.

If there are additional infractions, the student will be required to pay more fines and they will be required to meet with the Juvenile Review Board.

“Obviously there are a lot of news stories in the press right now about the harmful effects of vaping and we want to provide our students with a safe, healthy environment to learn in, so this subject is always a concern for us,” said White. “Our approach is to continue to be proactive and help keep our students and parents educated and aware, so we can all work together to help keep this problem out of Region 4.”

VRHS Principal Mike Barile reported that to date, no student had been found vaping on school property this year.

“The message is out there about the seriousness of the matter. The addictive nature of nicotine compounded with the chemicals in vaping is scary and extremely dangerous,” said Barile. “We continue to monitor the bathrooms in our school. We have a campus monitor who intermittently monitors the bathrooms—we try not to be invasive to students, but we want them to know that we are around and we are aware of what is going on.”

He added, “Vaping isn’t just a problem for the kids who do it, but it may be a problem for other students, [by] making it uncomfortable for them to use the bathrooms if there are two or three kids in there vaping, so we are doing our best to make sure that all parts of our school, including the bathrooms, are safe places, where all the students feel comfortable.”

Barile continues to send out a message about vaping in his weekly parents’ newsletter, which includes the following paragraph: “Nicotine products, including vapes and electronic cigarettes, are not permitted on school grounds at any time. The recent reports in the news about teen vaping are unfortunate and frightening. They are highly addictive and dangerous. We are committed to making sure our school campus is vape free. Please speak with your child about the dangers, legal ramifications, and consequences associated with vaping. Any student who is caught with a nicotine product, including e-cigarettes, will be assigned a one-day in-school suspension. Students over the age of 16 will also be subject to a fine by the Connecticut State Police. The following link provides data about vaping and the dangers associated with their use. Again, please help us keep Valley vape free. For more information go to https://digitalmedia.hhs.gov/tobacco/hosted/UCM624891.pdf.”