Alabama State Board of Education adopts vaping prevention policy

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Alabama’s State Board of Education adopted a resolution Thursday they said will keep students safe and classrooms clear of smoke.

“It’s very different from 40 years ago when students might smoke at school and we could kind of ‘follow the trail of smoke,’ which is what we did when I was a young school administrator,” said Dr. Eric Mackey, State Superintendent.

Dr. Mackey said you might not see a trail of smoke, but vaping has become a problem in schools. That’s why the State Board of Education is creating a vape awareness, education, and prevention program. It will teach students about the effects of nicotine and vaping.

“We want to make sure they get the right information,” said Dr. Mackey. “We want no students to be vaping. It’s not legal for them to be vaping. They should not be able to access the vapes.”

Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile), the original bill sponsor, encouraged parents to continue that education at home with their children.

“This has always been, for me, an effort to keep our young people healthy, as well as educated, on all the negatives that come from vaping,” she said. “So I am happy the Board approved a curriculum.”

The Vapor Technology Association said they support that curriculum, educating children on the dangers of vaping and tobacco. However, Tony Abboud, executive director, said they are concerned about what regulations in the law could mean for Alabama businesses.

“We’d hate to see Alabama eliminate this critically important product, while cigarettes get to be sold everywhere in the state just as they have always been,” Abboud said.

Dr. Mackey said students who are caught vaping more than once will have to go through a more rigorous program.

“And I hope that the State Legislature and legal officials continue to crack down on anybody who’s selling vapes to minors,” Dr. Mackey added. “It should not be allowed, and it’s an egregious front to our legal system.”

Dr. Mackey said a memo concerning the new program will soon go out to schools across the state. He said adults who are helping students get access to vapes should be treated with the most serious consequences of the law.