Danbury Area Schools Attempt to Stamp Out Vaping

Reports of illnesses and deaths from vaping are slowly being reported from all over the country.

The Center for Disease Control(CDC) is stepping up its probe of vaping illnesses and Danbury area schools are onboard. As of Sept. 19, seven deaths in the United States have been attributed to vaping and eleven people have been hospitalized in Connecticut.

Why have schools decided to place restrictions on vaping? An article on ctinsider.com reveals that the CDC has announced a country-wide investigation because of the outbreaks of lung disease associated with e-cigarettes. New Milford has closed many of the school bathrooms during the day but has reopened them because of the many complaints.

Fourteen electronic vaping detectors have been installed in various locations at Ridgefield High School. Danbury installed those same type of detectors last year. The detectors are a tool that helps school staff catch students who are using e-cigarettes inside the school.

Check out this stat. According to the Federal Drug Administration, there has been a 78% increase in e-cigarette use between 2017 and 2018 among middle and high school students. According to Newtown School Superintendent, Lorrie Rodrigue:

The students think they're better off if they're vaping instead of smoking cigarettes. It's wrong, it's inaccurate, and it's harming kids and people.

Many Danbury area schools have been holding special seminars for both parents and students on the dangers of vaping. High school health classes in Ridgefield, New Fairfield, Region 12 along with Redding, Easton, and Region 9 have been teaching students about the health risks of vaping.