Agency announces new initiative to combat the ‘youth vaping epidemic’ DOE aims to clear cloudy school halls

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

“It’s very clear to me that this all stems from teenagers having poor mental health coping mechanisms.”

A teacher at a Central Queens high school, who requested anonymity in fear of retribution, said she sees teenagers using vaporizers or e-cigarettes on a daily basis.

“No amount of confiscation or parent calls have helped,” she told the Chronicle. “They’re addicted. They get sad or stressed, and ‘hit the vape’ because it makes them feel better.”

According to the state Health Department, NYS Public Health Law Article 13-F, Section 1399-MM-1 prohibits the sale of flavored vapor products that do not have an FDA marketing order.

Additionally, retailers may only sell tobacco products that are unflavored or are tobacco-, menthol-, mint- or wintergreen-flavored, and tobacco products may not be sold to those under the age of 21.

“Sometimes I smell a waft of smoky strawberry coming from behind my back when walking through the crowded hallways between classes,” the teacher said. “By the time I whip around to catch them, it’s already gone. So I don’t think the laws banning the sale of flavored nicotine are doing much.”

It seems the city Department of Education is keenly aware of the issue in schools. Last week, the agency announced a partnership with CATCH Global Foundation to address the nicotine-vaping epidemic among youth, called the CATCH My Breath initiative.

In collaboration with the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the New York Health Foundation, CATCH — which stands for coordinated approach to child health — will provide free vaping prevention training, classroom resources and parent resources to public school health educators serving middle and high school students, the press release said, as well as engage students in advocacy-centered service-learning projects.

“Our school staff are not only educators, but wellness champions and role models for our young New Yorkers. It is critical that they have the resources to help our kids prioritize their

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