There’s only a five-minute time period between classes for using the restroom; however, it’s being used for the wrong reasons.

An epidemic of vaping has swept through schools and there seems to be no end in sight.

Vaping is essentially inhaling a substance called “E-Juice,” which is converted to vapor through hot coils.

The substance doesn’t have many “harmful” chemicals, but it does contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive drug.

This is all done through a device called an Electronic Cigarette or what is commonly known as a “vape.”

The most poplar vape is the JUUL.

JUUL’s are shaped like a flash-drive, almost as if to delude any suspicion from parents or teachers, making it easy to sneak in and out of school.

Most students think nothing of others vaping as if it has become a normality, which, in a sense, is quite alarming.

Teenagers are disregarding their own health to seem “cool.”

Smoking companies are targeting underage teens with cool advertisements and tasty, flavored juices.

Junior Jolie Timm is annoyed by students vaping in the restroom.

“People don’t always know the health risks associated with vaping and it’s a bit inconsiderate to do it in an area others may have to use,” Timm said. “People that don’t want to vape shouldn’t be forced to be around it, so school isn’t the best place to vape if someone chooses to do so.”

It is inconsiderate toward other people that wish to use the bathroom.

Bringing a vape to school is foolish, and people should be able to contain themselves without vapes for prolonged periods.

I shouldn’t have to inhale the disgusting cloud of nicotine every time I want to use the restroom.

But the situation is hard to crack down on due to the fact that it’s done almost always throughout the school, mostly restrooms.

Teachers have their own separate restrooms from the students, separating the teachers from this problem.

Mrs. Melissa Weeks, Spanish and history teacher, agrees that vaping shouldn’t be done in schools.

“It’s foolish,” Weeks said. “If kids want to vape, then they should do it in their homes.”

According to a study done by the Child Mind Institute, e-cigarette use in teens and young adults has risen in recent years.

About 2.1 million students between middle school and high school ages were e-cigarette consumers in 2017.

Teens who vape are also likely to try new types of tobacco products.

These students are almost always late to class because they feel the need to get their nicotine ration during school hours, instead of waiting a until it’s time to leave.

According to an article from CNN, “Why Vaping Is So Dangerous For Teens,” not only is vaping a physical problem, it is a psychological problem as well.

Many children and teenagers are pressured into trying it by their peers.

Kearsley alumnus Noah Brasseur reflects on his time using e-cigarettes.

“I do regret it,” Brasseur said. ” It was pointless. My friends really put me onto it, and we did it a lot together. It always felt somewhat cool until eventually I just got sick of it.”

The need for change in teens vaping is a pressing matter.

Teens around the world are not realizing they have a nicotine addiction.