E-cigarettes and Vaping

  • Vaping logo

    Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices have easily become more popular than tobacco cigarettes with teens over the past several years. Since its introduction in the early 2000’s, vaping has continued to grow in popularity. According to the 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey released by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, e-cigarette use was up 78 percent among high school students and 48 percent among middle-school students from 2017 to 2018. The total number of middle and high school students using e-cigarettes rose to 3.6 million, an increase of 1.5 million students. 

    These trends are alarming and they reflect what is happening in our own schools and communities. On this page, we have assembled a wealth of information on vaping to assist parents in better understanding this phenomenon and speaking with their children on the subject.

    Graphic showing SDMC rates of student vaping from 2014-2023

    • Vaping Info is intended to assist parents in better understanding the immediate consequences, should their child be found in violation of vaping prohibitions outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Here is the same information for parents in Spanish.

    Manatee County Sheriff's Department Vaping Protocol
    569.11 (1) Possession of Nicotine or Nicotine dispensing product ( Any Vape Pen)
    It is unlawful for any person under 21 years of age to knowingly possess any tobacco product. Any person under 21 years of age who violates this subsection commits a noncriminal violation. Punishable as follows;

     For a first violation, you must pay a $30 fine or instead complete 16 hours of community service. In addition, you must also complete a school-approved anti-tobacco program.

    1. For a second violation within 12 weeks after the 1st violation, pay a $30 fine.

     Any person under 21 years of age cited for committing a noncriminal violation under this section must sign and accept a civil citation indicating a promise to comply with the requirements in number 1 or 2 whichever applies. If not, you will have to appear before the county court. If found by the court to have committed a noncriminal violation under this section and that person has failed to complete community service, pay the fine as required and complete the anti-tobacco program, the court may direct the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to withhold issuance of or suspend the driver license or driving privilege of that person for a period of 30 days.

     

    School administrators

    Teachers and coaches

    Parents

    Know what to look for

     For more information, please contact the Office of Safe Schools at (941) 751-6550 x43270.

     

    Assortment of vaping devices so parents are more aware of what they look like.