Kentucky Schools Step Up Anti-Vaping Efforts as Students Keep Finding New Ways to Hide Devices

Schools in Harlan County, Kentucky, are working hard to prevent students from using e-cigarettes, but students are becoming increasingly creative in hiding their devices. The school is ramping up educational efforts, but the marketing of e-cigarettes to students makes prevention more challenging.

According to a report by WYMT on October 10, school officials in Harlan County, Kentucky, are striving to stop the use of e-cigarettes on school property. Matt Cope, the director of the school security department, stated that they have been discovering students in possession of e-cigarettes.

Cope noted, "We are seeing a dangerous and steady increase in student e-cigarette use, not just in our county but across the country. We see this happening in schools every day, and the situation is continuing to rise." 

To combat this, the school system has installed e-cigarette detection devices in restrooms, and staff have been trained to recognize e-cigarettes, but Cope mentioned that students are becoming increasingly inventive in hiding them. "We are now seeing e-cigarettes concealed in everyday items, whether it's the drawstring of a child's hat, or e-cigarettes that look like highlighters, cosmetics, watches, or even ballpoint pens. They hide these devices very cleverly." 

Cope explained that any student found with an e-cigarette in Harlan County schools could face disciplinary action. Administrators are also trying to educate students about the dangers of nicotine and other substances. 

Cope said, "All students have had discussions about e-cigarettes in class, and we have also held assemblies for all high school and middle school students to discuss the dangers of e-cigarettes." He expressed that he feels businesses are marketing to students, making it even more difficult to prevent their use of e-cigarettes.