The issue with vaping devices in schools has reached Lynbrook, and the Board of Education, recognizing the significance of the surge in popularity of vapor-based smoking, has responded, deciding to amend its policy on the matter. As Principal Joe Rainis explains, “We worry about the stunning popularity of these devices, and it is scary how easily this has spread by word of mouth.” Thus, the BOE has resolved to alter the designation given to e-cigarettes and similar devices. Previously, Policy 5400, entitled “Drug and Alcohol Use,” has used what it defines as “alcohol and/or other substances” to cover these vaporizers. However, violation of this policy carried a weaker punishment than the district desired. In order to discourage the use of the vaporizers in school, the BOE and high school administration have announced, effective Thursday, December 14 at 7:00 a.m., that these devices will now be reclassified as “drug paraphernalia,” which results in steeper punishments.

This revision has been prompted by the use of a new smoking device known as a juul vaporizer, dubbed JUUL by the manufacturers, which offers convenient and easily concealed operation for users. A JUUL is a highly concentrated nicotine vaporizer that appeals mainly to people of younger ages due to its short-term headrush, or nicotine “buzz.” JUULs were introduced publicly by PAX Labs (formerly Ploom), an electronic cigarette company founded in 2007, according to both Fortune and Business Insider. The nicotine stored in a “JUULPod,” which is essentially a small cartridge that contains about 200 puffs, has a concentration that is equivalent to a pack of cigarettes (Fox News). PAX Labs has designed the product to closely resemble a flashdrive, and the battery is easily charged by any USB port, including school computers.

One concern that has been addressed by the high school administration is the astonishing ease associated with modifying the JUULs. Rainis comments: “I did some initial Googling on the matter, and in just seconds, I found how easily the JUUL cartridges can be taken apart and put back together. There’s a tremendous number of YouTube videos available without much searching that shows step-by-step how to replace the cartridge with other substances, including cannabis oil, which is very concerning to us.” He continues, “The media is advertising JUULs as a safe alternative to smoking, and this is very dangerous. I try reminding students who have JUULs confiscated that although they may have heard from a friend [that JUULs are safe], the long-term effects of vaping are still widely unknown. Are we going to wait 30 years for someone to come out and say this stuff will kill you?” The concern here, critics of vaporizers say, is that the effects of all of the synthetic chemicals found in the JUUL are still not yet completely understood by users.

When enforcing this issue, the high school administration is taking the role of educators, rather than enforcers. “We are not the police,” reminds Rainis, “We won’t be testing to determine what substance was found in confiscated JUULs. Instead, we will try to educate violators on the risks they put on themselves. I am asking the BOE to make this policy change so that I can, with vigor, make it clear that JUULs have no place here at Lynbrook High School, just the same as other drug paraphernalia,” adds Rainis.
On Wednesday, December 13, Rainis came on the PA system during morning announcements to announce the change in policy to the students and faculty, notifying them of a letter on the school website regarding the matter. If a student is caught in possession of JUULs or other vaporizers, it will be treated as drug paraphernalia and carry a five day out-of-school suspension (OSS) and a referral to the superintendent to review if additional disciplinary measures should be carried out. A student who prefers not to be mentioned by name, said, “I’m glad they are instituting the new policy. Hopefully that’ll stop the madness that happens in the bathrooms between periods.”