Nicotine use rising in young children, school administrators concerned

FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) – Nicotine is now reaching children much younger than 21. The unfortunate truth is it is gaining popularity – electronically.

Cigarettes are declining in popularity as new forms of nicotine intake are on the rise.

Vaping and tobacco free pouches are taking over as some of the most popular forms of nicotine use.

Sadly, people under the age of 21 are obtaining and using these devices, especially in schools.

Dawn Dooley, Director of Elementary Schools and Assessment for Fayette County Schools, told 59News that it is harder to detect vapes now due to how they look and it comes down to teachers watching carefully.

“It’s just really been the vape devices. They come in all different shapes and sizes. Some of them look like a pencil. It’s really hard to detect them and there are vape detectors but we’ve found that they are not effective. More of it is diligence and vigilance with our staff,” said Dooley.

Nicotine is not the only issue though.

Dooley explained that THC infused vapes are one of the main issues they have found.

“We have THC vapes. I’m not talking about the THC that is in medical marijuana. That’s a whole different category. This is a Delta 8 a “Cloud 9” and those have been in possession of our children. Those are even scarier because they are not regulated. We don’t know what is in them. We don’t know what has been added to them,” said Dooley to 59News.

Dooley said they are working closely with the Fayette Coalition and New River Health to bring awareness to the use of nicotine in schools through new programs.

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