E-smoking in school??

[OutWest]

Lacey - agree completely. The less obnoxious and "in your face" we are about this, the better as a whole. Even with my dulled sense of smell from analog smoking, I can smell vape. It's hard to describe exactly what it smells like and it's not irritating to me, but may be irritating to others (my sister wore a perfume in high school that would throw me into sneeznig fits but it didnt bother most folks) And, many non-vapers would also be very vocal about their health-risk concerns. Just like how the govt takes away rights in baby steps, IMHO we need to use baby-steps to aclimate people (both regulators and non-smokers) to the idea of vaping and to the idea of it being safe.

expipeman - i agree, the abscense of nicotine is a distraction (just like any need of a fix is to any addict). And, I dont see anythign wrong with vaping in classes at university. But, I do think we need to acclimate people to the notion of it being okay rather than being overly pushy about it. And, I too can remember when it was okay to smoke during lecture (we even had ashtrays built into the arms of the chairs). When I was in university, it was okay to smoke during lecture unless the professor prohibited it (some did). In classes where the professor banned it during lecture, I often found myself either needing a cigarette, and thus being distracted from the lesson, or stepping out into the hallway to smoke and being momentarily absent from the lesson. Assuming the govt doesnt fully ban vaping, hopefully we will see a return to nicotine use in the lecture hall so that students wont be distracted by needing to step outside.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

Lacey - agree completely. The less obnoxious and "in your face" we are about this, the better as a whole. Even with my dulled sense of smell from analog smoking, I can smell vape. It's hard to describe exactly what it smells like and it's not irritating to me, but may be irritating to others (my sister wore a perfume in high school that would throw me into sneeznig fits but it didnt bother most folks) And, many non-vapers would also be very vocal about their health-risk concerns. Just like how the govt takes away rights in baby steps, IMHO we need to use baby-steps to aclimate people (both regulators and non-smokers) to the idea of vaping and to the idea of it being safe.

It's funny... as we were sitting on the ground at Disney yesterday, 2nd row watching the parade... and the float with the antagonists rolled through... the fog machines were blowing IMMENSE amounts of vapor into our faces. It made any concert I have been to look like a pre-school halloween program. We both couldn't help but sit there and think... wow... if Disney can blow this all over children and adults, then our little e-cigs are nothing!

 

[Spikey]

I teach at a College and at first I did use my e-cig during lectures (though not freely.. only when I start to nic-fit and stumble over my words). I would never stop a student from doing it unless another student complained and lately I try to go to the hallway to vape so I am not encouraging a habit that may or may not be safe.

 

[sherlockian]

I am a fan of vaping in class.
I have a penstyle, and my friends who are around me a lot notice when I vape, but as long as I hold it in for a while I'm fine.

I had a close call one day. I was vaping away, and then my cartridge slipped out of the atomizer body, and these whisps of vapor went drifting upwards. Me, being ready to clear the air, blew at the vapor but behold, my lungs too were full of vape.

I was sitting in the back of the class with a bright window right behind me. The professor looked back just in time to see it, but by some twist of luck she dropped her chalk. She bent down to pick it up and I was flailing my arms around above my head like an ediot (hehe).

 

[Momof3]

I completely agree with being considerate. If all involved parties agree, vape away. Would have been wonderful when I was in college.

I don't support the zero tolerance ideas and I never will. Those policies have led to kids getting suspended over asinine things like having a cough drop in their backpack. My DS has to take a supplement to digest his meals. Completely safe even in massive doses to anyone else, but he can't eat without taking it. Even though he is old enough, he can't just have it packed in his lunch box. He will use it for the rest of his life. I have to provide a new form from his Dr every year that's identical save for the date. Part of his lunch is wasted in the office every day. It further segregates him from his classmates. I think it's stupid. The staff thinks it's stupid. His Dr thinks it's stupid. Zero tolerance is not the answer. It hasn't prevented illegal drug use in schools.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

I don't support the zero tolerance ideas and I never will. Those policies have led to kids getting suspended over asinine things like having a cough drop in their backpack.

And to further on Momof3's idea, is teaching zero tolerance safe? Did anyone see the recent interview with Bristol Palin basically saying that abstinence is not a safe thing to teach kids? Where she openly admitted that she doesn't regret it, but she did just lose 10 years of her life... no college, no living on her own, no young-adult experiences?

That is what zero tolerance is. Zero tolerance = abstinence. Abstinence of drugs, cigarettes, sex, cough drops, anything that isn't written in the good book - seriously. It isn't safe to raise our kids in these bubbles. It isn't fair or safe to segregate Momof3's DS because of an ailment that isn't dangerous to anyone but DS. How hard would it be to let DS have meds in lunch box, locked away in locker or in teach's desk? What standard does it set that we have to set a poor child away from the rest of the group and point out daily that this child is "different". (No offense to you Momof3). I think that type of teaching is far more detrimental to our kids then allowing a med in a lunch box be stolen for a "high" if it is even possible.

 

[OutWest]

it just floors me how they've gotten with medications at schools. What appears to be a typical policy (from Bremerton School District: Student Handbook )

Medication
If your child must be given any type of medication at school, the following conditions must be met.

All medication including over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, cough syrup, cough drops, etc., must be authorized by a physician. Before school staff can allow your child to take any type of medication at school, a Medication Authorization Form signed by the parent/guardian and physician must be on file in the school office. These forms are available from the school secretary,
The medication must be in the original bottle with (1) the student’s name, (2) the name of the medication, and (3) the directions for administering the medication.
All prescription and over-the-counter medications will be kept in a locked cabinet in the school’s office. Students may not carry any medications (prescription or over-the-counter) on their person or in their backpacks. School staff are not allowed to administer ear drops, eye drops, or medications by injections. Students found with either prescription or over the counter medications will be disciplined. The discipline may lead to suspension from school. Any student distributing any medication at school, prescription or over-the-counter, shall be immediately suspended or expelled. If you have any questions, please contact the school office for assistance.

When I was in elementary and middle school, prescription meds were supposed to be kept by the school nurse. However, as long as they were non-narcotics (such as antibiotics) it wasn't strictly enforced. The nurse could also give injections (such as insulin or allergy shots) if necessary. In high school, could keep your own meds on you (even prescription painkillers) if you wanted, without any problems. I was on Darvocet after getting my wisdom teeth out and carried the bottle with me, taking them as necessary during class. All my teachers knew it and no problems. Nowadays kids get suspended for having aspirin on their person. Insanity.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

Outwest... you and I must be close in age because that is what I remember. I remember having a sense of responsibility to take care of myself and not "share my drugs". No wonder it is such a big thing to loot mom and dad's med cabinet nowadays.. we have turned aspirin into a narcotic!

 

[OutWest]

We must be Graduated high school in '84. You hit the nail on the head - it was about being responsible. And, if you did share and got caught, you were suspended or worse, expelled. Plain and simple.

 

[Spikey]

My partner's son got a list from school of things they can't do... which includes....

wear BOOTS
wear BELTS
bring TOYS
use CeELLPHONES
use derogatory names towards others
and MANY other things.

What I have deducted is that the "bubble" these kids live in makes them come home from school with....

Wet feet in the snow, their pants falling down around their ankles (thus the new dress trend the last 10 years), not be able to defend themselves to others, not be able to call their parents to defend them when they are GETTING made fun of (or they are sick and need to go home), no ability to do anything fun during recess or trade any kind of toys.

I have decided I may not have kids BECAUSE of this ridiculous world we live in (except now that Obama is in office.. I am re-thinking it.. things may get better!)

 

[Momof3]

Yep, those are the policies here. My DS is autistic. He already stands out and always will. The goal has been to help him fit in as much as possible. His "meds" are over the counter. Nothing more than enzymes. I could take the entire bottle and nothing would happen.

Zero tolerance has just made kids hide more things and reinforce the idea that adults are idiots. Can you imagine the high schools with all those girls actually abstaining from Midol vs just hiding it.

My niece told me once she was going to smoke when she got older. Her mom is a non-smoking Nazi. Her mom told her only bad people smoke. She listed off all the people she knows and loves who smoke and said obviously her mom was a liar and that meant she was lying about how bad smoking was for her.

Solely teaching abstinence to me is a stupid idea. I get in a lot of trouble when I point out that abstinence isn't 100% effective. Didn't work for Mary did it?

 

[LaceyUnderall]

We must be Graduated high school in '84. You hit the nail on the head - it was about being responsible. And, if you did share and got caught, you were suspended or worse, expelled. Plain and simple.

I graduated in 95... so 10 years behind you BUT things were still the same... It was about being responsible. We don't have that anymore. With anything. It seems that anyone can do anything and make others assume responsibility for their actions.

 

[OutWest]

you know, the more i think about it, the more I think this whole thing is part of the whole lack of responsibility attitude that kids have nowadays. We dont let them have any responsibilities and thus they dont learn any.

edit - GMTA

 

[LaceyUnderall]

Solely teaching abstinence to me is a stupid idea. I get in a lot of trouble when I point out that abstinence isn't 100% effective. Didn't work for Mary did it?

Love it! That's fabulous! LOL

(special smilie for you!)