It took an influx of tobacco related products to propose a change, but now Plymouth schools have decided to take action in the school corporation’s student handbook.
During last night’s Plymouth School Board meeting, Superintendent Dan Tyree said many students believed there was a bit of a grey area when it comes to e-cigarette use in the document – which is provided in digital form online.
Tyree says the school Principals suggested the change.
“We’ve probably confiscated, I’d say, 10 to 15 e-cigarettes or vape pens since Christmas vacation,” says Tyree.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, e-cigarette use more than doubled among U.S. middle school and high school students from 2011 to 2012. Some studies have associated e-cigarette vapor with cancerous reactions in the cell.
In response to their persistent use among students, Plymouth school officials proposed to ban the possession, sale, or use of the devices on school grounds. Tyree says the language was given as a recommendation to Plymouth Schools.
“We got this language from the school board association lawyer David Emmert, and it would be my recommendation that we amend the student handbooks to include this language,” says Tyree.
From this point, students found to possess e-cigarettes could be vulnerable to suspension or other penalties.
The Plymouth School Board approved the change unanimously. Principals will be instructed to notify parents of the change in the student handbook to prevent future violations.
