EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

State board of education discusses vape problem

Nov 7, 2019, 2:55 PM | Updated: 4:03 pm

The Utah State Board of Education discussed the youth vaping problem at their monthly meeting. (PHOTO: Shutterstock)

(PHOTO: Shutterstock)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The well-documented problem of youth vaping in Utah has made its way onto the agenda of the Utah State Board of Education, which met Thursday at the Board’s headquarters in downtown Salt Lake City.

Elected officials discussed recent numbers, proposed legislation and potential problems with any changes.

Rep. Susan Pulsipher spoke on behalf of Utah instructors when she said there is mounting frustration about how to handle the issue.

“What do we do with the devices?” she asks. “We have a box, what do we do with them?”

The proposed legislation would tackle how to better clarify student search protocol.  But beyond that, the Board hopes to improve what happens after a student is caught “red-handed.”  Rep. Pulsipher says students aren’t taking the current system seriously.

“They were caught vaping, they went to something and came out laughing,” she says. “It was a joke.”

More importantly, she says the goal is to eradicate the problem and thereby preventing the need for disciplinary action.

One school of thought holds that eradicating the problem begins with preventative programming.

“If we can help teach them pro-social behaviors,” Rep. Pulsipher said, “and things that will help them do positive things, not negative things, they won’t start on these harmful behaviors and then we won’t be spending our time trying to help them get off.”

Studies find that kids are vaping earlier and earlier, increasing the need for outreach at a younger age.

“What we want to do is add one [outreach program] to fourth or fifth grade, so we can also have an age-appropriate curriculum in elementary [school],” she explains.

Numbers from a recent Student Health and Risk Prevention (SHARP) Statewide Survey found nearly 10% of all Utah students in 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades have used an e-cigarette product in the past 30 days.

The proposed bill addressing both components will come before the committee later this month.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Education + Schools

A n3-year degree may be an option...

Amie Schaeffer

Utah students could soon earn bachelor’s degrees in 3 years

College students may be able to graduate with a bachelors degree in three years in some industries.

3 hours ago

The Powder Baby Dry Shampoo team poses with its check after winning the 2024 Utah Entrepreneur Chal...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.COM

BYU student startup wins $30K at Utah Entrepreneur Challenge

BYU entrepreneur Kylee Black, who founded Powder Baby, said the cash prize will be instrumental in advancing her business.

5 hours ago

Outside of the Yale University Law School is pictured on September 27, 2018 in New Haven, Connectic...

Zenebou Sylla, CNN

Some New England universities, including Yale, break $90,000 barrier for total tuition cost in upcoming school year

(CNN) — Several New England universities and colleges, including Yale, have reached a pinnacle of at least $90,000 for undergraduate tuition and costs starting this fall. Yale University, Tufts University, Boston University (BU), and Wellesley College are among a few private institutions that will top this year’s costs for tuition, housing and other expenses, according to […]

15 hours ago

FILE: Cedar High School in Cedar City is pictured on Wednesday April 7, 2021....

Tammy Kikuchi and Emma Keddington

Cedar High School grapples with mascot name, five years after it was changed

The Iron School District Board of Education is grappling with changing the Cedar High School mascot back from "Reds" to "Redmen." 

16 hours ago

A green and brown sign hangs on a brick wall. It reads "The future of the world is in this classroo...

Mariah Maynes

Study looks into Utah voters’ opinions on curriculum transparency in schools

A Sutherland Institute study found that a majority of Utah voters support curriculum transparency. However, fewer of them support mandating it with legislation. 

22 hours ago

Utah Utes players circle up before the women’s college basketball game against Weber State Univer...

Aimee Cobabe and Emma Keddington

FBI now involved in Utah Women’s Basketball racism investigation

Police in Idaho are working with the FBI to investigate an incident where racial slurs were yelled at the Utah Women's basketball team.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

State board of education discusses vape problem