Vaping of the School Bus

Vaping among school-age children is a growing problem, even on school buses. The CDC reports that one in four middle and high school students vape daily. Vaping devices produce dangerous chemicals that can cause lung and heart diseases. The devices are difficult to detect because they are odorless and inconspicuous. Bus drivers can research vaping effects and district policies, educate students, and enforce consequences for vaping on the bus. Signs of vaping include students hiding devices, windows going down, and passing items across the aisles. Drivers should ask students to stop immediately and report incidents to administrators. Proper disposal of vaping devices is crucial due to potential health risks. Education is key to addressing vaping and caring for students' well-being. How to Control Vaping on the School Bus. Vaping among school-age children has become rampant nationwide. Schools are scrambling to adjust to the onslaught of young students using nicotine vaping devices in school halls, bathrooms, classrooms, and yes, even on the school bus. In fact, the CDC reports that one in four middle and high school age students reported using nicotine vaping products on a daily basis in 2023. And just to think, that is what has been reported. In this video, we simply want to educate you, the school bus driver, on the effects of vaping. Also, how to pass this information on to students, so you can report and apply the school teen concept, establishing no vaping rules on the bus and within the district, and how to safely dispose of vaping devices. Nicotine vaping devices are a relatively new product that have been sold in the U.S. for about a decade. While much remains to be determined about the lasting health consequences of these products, the American Lung Association is very troubled by the evolving evidence about the impact of vaping devices on the lungs. Since they are relatively new, there are several studies being conducted, as we speak, about the lasting effects that nicotine vaping can cause. So far, we know that vaping produces a number of dangerous chemicals, including acetaldehyde and formaldehyde. These aldehydes can cause lung disease as well as cardiovascular heart disease. They also contain acrolein, a herbicide primarily used as a weed killer. In addition to that, there are many nicotine devices that are unregulated, and who knows what types of chemicals are being placed into them. The bottom line is that vaping can put students at risk for nicotine addiction. It can harm developing brains and influence their performance at school. Couple that with school buses not being superventilated, and you can see the possible pollutants being passed throughout the air to other students who are riding the bus, thus putting those students at risk as well. So why are students using these devices at an alarming rate? For one, they are far more inconspicuous than a typical cigarette. They don't constantly burn like a nicotine cigarette does. This makes it easier for students to hide. A non-smoker can typically smell a tobacco product on a smoker from the smoke entering their clothes or even from their hands. With vapes, they are primarily odorless when carried in pockets and or backpacks. Another issue is that many parents are even condoning the use of vaping devices because they themselves are not educated about them and believe them to be safer than traditional cigarettes. However, as mentioned, studies are still being conducted. When you think about the fact that we have been studying the effects of cigarettes for 75 years and are still finding out new risks about them, you can see how we have a long way to go to be able to determine the effects of vaping apparatuses. The other part to this whole vaping phenomenon is that students are also using the same type of devices in conjunction with THC oil. This is a form of vaping, but instead of nicotine, they are vaping THC. These devices can be just as inconspicuous as nicotine vaping devices. The ability to not have smoke constantly filling the air is the reason many students get away with using these devices in places where they would not previously even attempt. Which brings us on to our next question. What can you, as a bus driver, do to recognize and take action to deter students from vaping on the bus? In all honesty, there is no single answer to that question. The first thing you can do is your own research. Research about the effects of vaping. Research what these devices look like. Research your district's policies on vaping. The more you know about something, the better you can address it. An effective plan and the use of the school team should be a main priority when it comes to vaping. School districts have been dealing with this for a while now. They should have or currently be putting plans in place for what types of measures should be taken when a student is caught vaping. Continuity will be the key here. You should know your district's policies, and they should coincide with the Transportation Department's rules when it comes to the use of any type of nicotine or vaping products. One thing is for certain, and that is students should know all of the bus rules on their first day back to school. This includes vaping. Let the consequences of vaping be known to all students. Whether it is a warning, then suspension, or an immediate suspension, all students should clearly know the rules of your bus. We previously mentioned that you should educate yourself as much as possible about the effects of vaping. In turn, you can use the information you gain to educate the students who ride your bus. Remember, addiction is a disease. Showing that you care about a student's well-being is going to be far more effective than disciplining a student who simply may need additional guidance. However, vaping on buses and in schools has become a big issue, so there will need to be some type of enforcement when you catch students doing it on your bus, which begs the next question. With these devices being so inconspicuous, how does a driver even know if students are using them on their buses? Well, here are some things you can watch for. First, you should be aware that vaping is a dangerous substance. Here are some things you can watch for. Some are going to be obvious, such as students attempting to duck in their seats, but you should also watch for windows going down on cooler days. You should watch for students putting their hands to their faces as they can hide their devices in their sleeves, as shown here. Watch for students attempting to pass items across the aisles. Kids will be kids and will think of ingenious ways to hide things that they know they shouldn't be doing. By being aware and recognizing when students are vaping, you can address the issue immediately. Once again, the disciplinary actions to be taken if a student does get caught vaping should coincide with the policies set forth by the district. If a student does get caught vaping on your bus, you should ask them to stop immediately. If you have cameras on board, you should mark the time if you can. Many times, kids will deny that they were vaping, and that is when recording video may come in handy later down the line. If you are on the way to school, you should have an administrator meet you there. In many cases, the administrator would treat it as if it were a pack of cigarettes and it would more than likely get confiscated. If they are caught on the way home, you should bring it up to your supervisor immediately so the appropriate actions can be taken. Warning and suspension times will vary from district to district. Something that many schools and transportation departments have been implementing and should be considered is a wellness program for addiction treatment. This way, students can be educated about the health effects of many of these products instead of waiting out the time in detention. The other thing to keep in mind is that a lot of these devices are aftermarket products using generic lithium batteries and or chemicals that are unknown to the user. We are sure you have seen the news reports about vaping devices exploding in people's pockets or while they are in use. This is yet another reason to educate students. There is another part to this other than the actual vaping. There is another part to this other than the actual vaping taking place on your bus, and that is how to properly handle and dispose of vaping devices. Students may accidentally drop these devices out of their pockets or they may leave them on the bus once the nicotine fluid runs out. Disposal of vaping devices are to be treated the same way as any type of bodily fluid spill. Remember, a vaping device will have the saliva from the user on it. A cut in someone's lips or gums who is vaping can have the potential to pass a blood-borne pathogen. When handling any type of e-cigarette or vaping device, you should always wear new gloves. You should then place all confiscated parts into a sealed container or bag for storage. These parts can include the devices and their batteries, refillable e-liquids and or bottles, and any tanks, cartridges, and pods. Once picked up and sealed away, they should be disposed of at the nearest hazardous waste disposal site. Most schools will already have a contained area for these items to be placed in and may have set days to take these items to the hazardous disposal site. Remember, do not handle e-cigarettes or vape devices with your bare hands. Also, do not attempt to rinse out cartridges in sinks or flush down toilets. And don't throw any device component in the trash or recycling bin. Once again, make sure that you know the disposal policies for vape devices for the district you are employed by. As you can see, there was going to be a tough hill to climb when combating the use of nicotine and THC vaping devices on the school bus. By being aware of the different ways these devices are being hidden and used, it will help you to address it. Always make sure to understand your district's policies for disciplinary actions and proper disposal of these products for continuous continuity within the organization. But remember, education is going to be the most important thing to consider. Educate yourself. Educate the students. Remain proactive in trying different approaches so that students know that it is not only about breaking the rules, but that there are people that care about their health and safety. We applaud your efforts. Thanks for watching. Stay safe.