Too many of our students in Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) schools are exposed to the dangers of vaping and THC pen usage. These culturally normalized activities potentially lead to negative health outcomes such as lung injury and affect academic performance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the use of e-cigarettes is unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults, as most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm adolescent brain development. Furthermore, a 2020 study by the University of Southern California revealed that teenagers who vape are 5 to 7 times more likely to get infected with COVID-19 than those who do not vape.

This petition proposes an essential preventive step – the installation of vape and THC pen detectors in all NMUSD intermediate and high schools. These detectors can alert authorities, curb the use of these harmful substances, protect the health of students, and foster a safer, more conducive learning environment.

Your signature on this petition will push for a healthier and more focused generation of learners. We ask you to support this cause for the betterment of our community's educational and health conditions. Please sign and share.