PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. -- In the past, smoking cigarettes at school would get some students in trouble.
But now, It’s e-cigarettes that's attracting kids.
In fact, it’s causing a huge problem in one of our school districts.
This year, the Pinellas County School District has seen a 200 percent increase in the number of students being enrolled in their tobacco clinic.
The program has been around for more than 20 years. Instead of students getting suspended for getting caught smoking, they can go to these classes.
But this is the first time that 243 students have been enrolled. There were just 80 last year.
Also, 90 percent of the students caught smoking are using e-cigarettes.
The district is holding four classes a month, before it was just one. This is also the first year that classes will be held in the summer.
Lisa DePaolo, who oversees the program, blames social media videos for sensationalizing e-cigarettes. There are many videos on Youtube showing students how to vape.
DePaolo learns vital information from students in the class.
“They can go online and purchase them with gift cards,” DePaolo says. “They can purchase them from each other or have an older friend buy it. “
You must be 18 to buy an e-cigarette, but there is no age limit to buy a gift card.
When you purchase online, students lie about their age and have the package shipped to their home.
Some e-cigs look like USB drives, which adds to the cool factor of students wanting to vape, DePaolo says.
Many students are shocked to learn during the classes that vaping isn't good for your health.
“One pod, which is a small liquid that goes into these e-cigarettes, is like smoking one pack of cigarettes. They say to us, 'We didn't know about that,' and to me that's the most impactful,” she says.
The district is also considering adding another location in Pinellas County to offer even more classes.
Parents, if you catch your kids using these e-cigarettes, you can enroll them in the tobacco clinic.
All you need to do is call your child's school and they will connect you with organizers for the program.
