Area schools trying to tackle vaping among students

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Administrators from area schools attended Thursday's Health and Human Services Committee meeting at the Erie County Legislature to educate the community about the dangers of e-cigarettes at area schools. 

Among the main problems include a rise in the number of students who are caught vaping at school. The e-cigarette use was once done using a larger device with a notable lithium battery, but now the sizes of the devices are as large as a pen or USB stick.

"It's our job as administrators to teach kids to make good decisions and make healthy choices," Depew High School Principal Carol Townsend told the legislature. "At this point, we are failing at both of these."

Vaping, according to Townsend, is done by a wide range of students. She noted it doesn't have a significant smell to it, the vapor disappears quick,  kids believe it is safe, and there is sometimes marijuana it it. She noted that 59.6 percent of students tried a vaping product in the past. 

The common theme among the administrators was an increase in education for the kids and they want the county legislature to implement laws to make it harder for e-cigarette companies to market for kids.

Another administrator is holding an old version of the e-cigarettes. The new ones are now the size of pens and some simply look like highlighters. pic.twitter.com/1Xmq7P1AjK

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"We're working behind the scenes to try and raise the age to 21," John Bruso said. "That's a good thing. We should be looking into the flavorings and the actual marketing of the whole product. How does a product that is designed to help adults quit smoking turn into a little flash drive-looking item that a kid can have in school. That's mind boggling to me that's allowed."

Bruso said he hopes there can be legislation by the end of the year.