Nicotine problems plaguing public schools, new legislation posed to help

SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY – Vaping is a popular trend among many people, especially teenagers. Unfortunately, nicotine is highly addictive and poses many health risks to minors.

News 40 spoke to Shelly Thomas, youth resource director with Barren County Schools, and Leslie McCoy, Bowling Green Independent School District’s director of communications, who both told us that it’s a big problem. Both Thomas and McCoy say it’s a community issue as much as anything, with kids only being in school for so many hours a day. That leaves them with many hours to get into things that may be detrimental to their health.

McCoy said at Bowling Green Independent Schools, they do their best to educate on the health risks with vaping. but it is still the leading disciplinary issue in the school system, and the same goes for Barren County. Thomas said to News 40 that over 140 kids have gone through their in-depth program this school year alone with around a third of those kids being repeat offenders, at least three offenses.

Thomas said in her talks with kids, they admit to being addicted to nicotine, and many want help but some tell her they don’t know if they’re ready to quit. Thomas said students vape in the classroom, cafeteria and hallway, often indicating the level of addiction kids deal with.

The FDA calls it an epidemic that threatens the health of many young Americans and to curb the damage, House Bill 11 has been filed to further crack down on the sale of nicotine products that have not been FDA approved.