Dear Fairbanks Parents/Guardians and Community,
Recently school administration met with other Union County personnel and took part in a discussion of the rise in use of e-cigarettes. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Smoking and Health, e-cigarettes (vaping, Juuling, e-cigs, water pipes, vape pens) are now the most commonly used tobacco product among youth, surpassing conventional cigarettes. E-cigarette use is strongly associated with the use of other tobacco products.
Our local use risk survey, conducted by the Union County Health Department, indicates our community is also seeing the rise in e-cigarette use. 11% of the students in the Union County report using vape pens, a number nearly doubling in use in the last two years. The current rate of e-cigarette usage is on par with the rate of tobacco use. Juul, one of the most popular forms of e-cigarettes, delivers a high dose of nicotine which is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development.
Fairbanks regards e-cigarettes as tobacco products, so incidents of e-cigarette use or possession will be treated with the same consequences as tobacco use or possession. Because of the rapid rise in use, this letter is to inform all students and families of e-cigarette policies. Fairbanks is a Tobacco Free Campus. The Fairbanks Board of Education has passed a resolution prohibiting the use of any tobacco product including smokeless tobacco on school grounds, in school buildings, and in vehicles used by the school to transport students. A student shall not possess, transmit, use, or exhibit symptoms or evidence of use of any tobacco product (including e-cigarettes and vapor products) while on or in the visible sight of school property.
Fairbanks Local Schools are committed to educate our students and families about this concerning trend towards the increase use of e-cigarettes. We care about the health of all members of our school community and appreciate your continued partnership and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact any of our building administration.
Sincerely,
Fairbanks Local School Administration
*On Friday, March 1, 2019, a copy of this letter was sent home with every Fairbanks student.