A bill to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vaping products in Louisiana from 18 to 21 passes in House Judiciary 8 to 2. Denham Springs High School Assistant Principal Justin Wax says vaping and cigarettes use among teens is an ever-growing issue.
“We recognize that this is a major epidemic it’s a big time issue the parents are asking for help the students themselves are asking for help because they often times don’t know how to get away from it,” Wax said.
Assistant Principal John Easterly testified that a quarter of the suspensions he handles are students smoking cigarettes or vaping.
“From August to October 2018 we had more nicotine related suspensions then we then we had school days in that period of time,” Easterly said.
Bill author Denham Springs Representative Buddy Mincey says a survey across the state indicates students are exposed to and using nicotine products at alarmingly young ages.
“It’s in our junior highs, it’s in our elementary schools, in part of the survey there they’re starting in the elementary schools,” Mincey said.
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