We know the dangers of vaping, but heavy-handed punishments for vaping in school only endanger students further. Poor as students' decision to vape may be, we see story after story documenting the tragic consequences of administrators' lack of foresight.

When students face unempathetic disciplinary policies specific to vaping, our firm protects those students' futures. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online about your case.

Students Hospitalized in Colorado Serve as Cautionary Tale of “Zero-Tolerance Policies”

Three middle school students attending a Colorado Springs middle school were hospitalized after vaping a dangerous marijuana product. In a state where cannabis has become ubiquitous, tragic stories like this inevitably occur.

The story detailing the hospitalization conspicuously notes that “[District 11, where the students attended school] has a zero-tolerance policy on nicotine and vape use and products.” While the story does not clarify that the students' fear of being caught contributed to their hospitalization, we can make some logical assumptions.

It stands to reason that a student who knows their school has a “zero-tolerance” vaping policy but has a lapse in judgment and uses a vape anyway may:

• Take every possible measure to conceal their vaping (and, in doing so, avoid potential discipline)
• Downplay potential health problems due to fear that they will face discipline if they admit to vaping
• Avoid going to the school nurse, or lying about the possibility that vaping contributed to a health problem due to the school's strict anti-vaping policy

The phrase “zero-tolerance” is, in and of itself, a scare tactic. When students become fearful of discipline, they will do many things to avoid that discipline—possibly even concealing life-threatening health markers.

Excessively Punitive Vaping Policies Endanger Students

Colorado is far from the only state in which schools maintain draconian vape-related disciplinary policies. In a wrongheaded effort to reduce vaping, schools have leaned into the stick—an approach known to be ineffective in curbing vaping among young people.

Experts tell us that “whack-a-mole” policies banning vaping are ineffective. Schools should take a more empathetic, solutions-driven approach to students who struggle with vaping, and our firm seeks to help administrators see the light.

Punishing students for vaping may only hurt their reputation and future ambitions while not positively affecting their health or well-being. This outcome is unacceptable to our team at the Lento Law Firm, so we are taking urgent action in the students' defense.

Facing Penalties for Vaping in School? Let the Lento Law Firm Help

The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team represents students adversely affected by vaping-related disciplinary policies. We work with schools to negotiate resolutions that protect the student's future while empowering them to overcome any vape-related issues they are enduring.

Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online about your case.