Earlier this year, the Texas legislature passed a new law in an effort to curb what the U.S. Surgeon General declared in 2018 to be an epidemic in the use of e-cigarettes by young people. Since their invention in 2003, e-cigarettes – also called ‘vapes’ – have been determined to be particularly harmful to youth’s health. Almost all vape liquid contains nicotine, which has been determined to have a negative effect on adolescent brain development. Vaping aerosols also contain chemicals linked to serious lung disease.

The new law will impact student discipline practices beginning at the start of the 2023-24 school year. The law requires that any student who possesses, uses, sells, gives or delivers an e-cigarette to another person be removed from class and placed in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP). 

If a student possesses, uses, sells, gives or delivers to another an e-cigarette, they will face a minimum of 10 days in DAEP, and increased time with each additional offense.

Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of vaping with their students and review the new district guidelines. Not sure how to start the conversation? Visit http://talkaboutvaping.org for resources.