PLYMOUTH-CANTON EDUCATIONAL PARK
Canton High School • 8415 Canton Center Road, Canton, MI 48187 • (734) 416-2850
Plymouth High School • 8400 Beck Road, Canton, MI 48187 • (734) 582-5500
Salem High School • 46181 Joy Road, Canton, MI 48187 • (734) 416-7800
February 15, 2018
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We would like to take a moment to alert you to a trend that is growing in popularity at P-CEP and other high schools in the area and nationally. Similar letters have been sent out by the principals of Northville High School and Livonia Stevenson High School. With permission, we are sharing much of the content they used in their communication. The trend we are referencing is called “vaping” or use of e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes (“vapes”) can look like a real cigarette, a pen, or a small rectangular device (a little smaller than a credit card but thicker). The Sourin brand “vape” is very popular right now (again, a small rectangular device smaller than a credit card but a little thicker). Vapes all work basically the same way. They are battery operated, have a container filled with liquid (often nicotine based), and a heating device that turns the liquid into a vapor that can be inhaled. Vapes are widely marketed and easily purchased from “vape shops” or even gas stations.
E-cigarettes are often times very difficult to detect because the vapor dissipates quite quickly and there is less detectable aroma when compared with regular cigarette smoke. The devices are very small and some even look like pens/pencils. Use and/or possession of e-cigarettes/vaporizers is a violation of the P-CCS K-12 Student Handbook Student and is subject to school discipline up to and including suspension from school.
While there are many who promote the idea that vaping is much safer than smoking cigarettes, and therefore we should not worry about our young people doing it, it is important to consider several factors. First, most vapes contain nicotine, which is addictive and not good for people with heart problems. Nicotine has also been shown to be harmful to the developing brains of young people and could affect memory and attention. Secondly, according to the American Lung Association, some of the chemicals used in the flavoring in e-cigs can lead to lung disease. One example of such a chemical is Diacetyl. Third, a number of young people use marijuana oil and/or synthetic drugs in e-cigarettes (it is very concerning that one really never knows the true content of “vape” juice). Finally, there have been mechanical issues with e-cigarettes that have caused serious bodily harm to users. I would also like to note that a 2016 study in the journal Pediatrics reported that teens who never smoked but used e-cigs were six times more likely to try cigarettes compared to kids who do not use e-cigarettes.
Please have a conversation with your student(s) about the dangers of vaping (a few article links on the second page). Also, please note the illustrations of what vapes look like and how small they are being manufactured for concealment purposes.
P-CEP is partnering with Saint Joseph Mercy Health System to bring you an informative and educational program for adults and adolescents to learn the facts about vaping.Participants will learn:
- What a vape is and how it is used
- What are the effects of its use
- What are the legal issues surrounding vaping
Canton High School Dubois Little Theater, 8415 Canton Center Rd., Canton, MI 48187
Please click the link to sign-up for attending either session: https://goo.gl/9mGctc
We want to share this information with all of you in the hope we can continue to partner together in educating our young people and parents to make healthy choices.
Sincerely,
Hal Heard Cheri Steckel Kim Villarosa
Principal, Canton High School Principal, Plymouth High School Principal, Salem High School
hal.heard@pccsk12.com cheri.steckel@pccsk12.com kimberly.villarosa@pccsk12.com
Please scroll down the page for examples of “vapes” and to find more information on this topic.
There are many educational resources and articles online. Below are a few. Please reference the links below:
https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/
Parent Tip Sheet from the Surgeon General
FAQs
Juuling
In the attached photo, you will see four different types of vapes (labeled A thru D). Vapes are getting smaller and more difficult to detect. There are other designs as well, but these seem to be the most popular at this time.
Vape A: This is the newest version (Sourin is the manufacturer) this year and as you can see, next to a credit card, it is smaller. It is extremely thin and very easy to hide.
Vape B: This is as thin as a pencil and unscrews into two pieces. One can see the liquid in the smaller mouthpiece. The longer piece screws into the charger below it and plugs into the wall to charge.
Vape C: This is the older, heavier, larger style. The bottle next to it is an example of "vape juice" that is poured into the vape and smoked. This style takes a small battery.
Vape D: This is similar to B but is charged via USB. Again, very easy to conceal and is almost the same size as a pencil.
Vape C: This is the older, heavier, larger style. The bottle next to it is an example of "vape juice" that is poured into the vape and smoked. This style takes a small battery.
Vape D: This is similar to B but is charged via USB. Again, very easy to conceal and is almost the same size as a pencil.
