Survey: 76% of teachers say student vaping is a major problem

A Teacher Tapp survey revealed that 76% of teachers believe student vaping is a significant issue in schools, including cases involving children as young as 11 years old. This survey was announced on the Teacher Tapp website on March 7.

The survey found that around 31% of teachers have caught a student using a vape, highlighting the prevalence of the issue. Vaping isn't limited to teenagers; 28% of teachers reported catching a child aged 11 or younger with a vape, pointing to the fact that this is a growing problem among all age categories from middle school to high school. Despite this, a minority of teachers (24%) do not see vaping as a significant problem in their schools.

According to Education Week, schools are using settlement funds from Juul Labs to install vape detectors in bathrooms and other areas to combat student vaping. These detectors help administrators identify and reduce vaping on campus by alerting staff when they detect aerosolized substances. The funding for these installations comes from legal settlements related to Juul’s role in the youth vaping epidemic.

Teen vaping poses serious health risks, as nicotine exposure can rewire the developing brain, affecting attention, learning, and impulse control. As per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), brain changes caused by nicotine can increase susceptibility to addiction and make teens more likely to use other nicotine products. Additionally, teens who vape may develop a stronger dependence on nicotine compared to those who smoke traditional cigarettes.

AP News reports that lawmakers have implemented stricter regulations to combat youth vaping, including raising the federal minimum age for tobacco purchases from 18 to 21. The FDA has also denied over a million marketing applications for flavored vaping products that appeal to minors. Additionally, state-level bans and restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes have been enacted to reduce youth access and curb rising nicotine addiction rates.

According to its website, Teacher Tapp is a data-driven survey platform that gathers daily insights from educators across the United States, offering real-time perspectives on critical education issues. By directly engaging with teachers, it provides policymakers and school leaders with valuable firsthand insights into the challenges and trends affecting classrooms.