To combat the alarming increase in marijuana and e-cigarette use in students, the Texas legislature announced House Bill 114 which went into effect on Sept. 1, 2023. By establishing a zero-tolerance policy for smoking or vaping on public school campuses, the government gives schools the resources to eradicate the activity altogether.
“It leads to damage in the lungs and can affect [students’] mental health,” Ms. Julie Vasquez said, the school nurse. “Sometimes they don’t know what’s in the vape pen, and can have bad reactions.”
Even from a non-medical view, the severity of vaping is present and visible. In bringing awareness to the problem, we are making progress toward the solution.
“I recommend students seek help through a counselor or medical professional to break any addictions they may have to vapes,” Ms. Stephanie Monajami, Legacy’s Academic Associate Principal, said. “There are so many chemicals in vapes and students (and sometimes even parents) may not realize what they are ingesting or the harm that it’s doing to their bodies.”
On top of health concerns raised by e-cigarette and tobacco-product usage, the consequences of being caught with contraband now have a stiffer punishment. Before the establishment of House Bill 114, the effects of discipline affected students to varying degrees.
“Obviously you’re not allowed to vape here at school,” Ms. Vasquez said. “So, if you do get in trouble, you lose class time which sets you back academically.”
Being caught vaping or in possession of a marijuana product doesn’t just hurt students academically, though. Other factors like friends and extracurricular activities act as considerable factors when administering punishment.
“I fear that the removal from the regular classroom environment will have an effect on student learning,” Ms. Monajami said. “Missing class time affects students’ learning and the ability for teachers and students to develop a strong relationship.”
All of those consequences stemmed from before the Bill, however, and have since been increased.
“Rules are enforced when a student is caught with a vape,” Mr. John Contreras, Facilities Associate Principal said. “If a student is caught with a vape, the first offense is 10 days of choices/ISS on campus.”
Further offenses are met with more severe punishments. For more information, Contreras himself points students toward the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and encourages them to do their own research.
“Vaping doesn’t just affect the person using it, it’s like a cigarette,” Ms. Vasquez said. “The smoke goes everywhere, so everyone around them is affected by that as well.”
Many see House Bill 114 as beneficial for the students.
“I hope that it cuts down on the use at school,” Ms. Vasquez said. “I think overall it will have a positive effect on the school population.”
