Res. No. 3

Resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education to install vape detectors in New York City public schools.

By Council Members Brannan, Menin and Yeger

Whereas, According to the Center on Addiction, vaping includes inhaling and exhaling vapor, also known as aerosol, which is created by electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or similar devices; and

Whereas, The Center on Addiction also reports that many of the particles in e-cigarettes contain toxic chemicals that have been linked to heart disease, respiratory disease, and cancer; and

                     Whereas, While the American Vaping Association claims that e-cigarettes were developed to serve as a replacement for cigarettes, studies show that children who vape have an increased likelihood of using cigarettes or other tobacco products later in life, according to Pennsylvania State University; and

                     Whereas, The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that about 30 percent of e-cigarette smokers began smoking within 6 months, while about 8 percent of non-users began smoking within this same timeframe; and

                     Whereas, As reported by a researcher at John Hopkins Medicine, e-cigarettes may appeal to many teens because they believe that vaping is less injurious than smoking, and e-cigarettes cost less per use than traditional cigarettes; and

Whereas, E-cigarette flavors, like cotton candy and watermelon, have been identified as one of the main reasons for their popularity among younger people; and

                      Whereas, Although in New York City (NYC) it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to individuals younger than 21, e-cigarettes are widely used by NYC youth; and

Whereas, During a January 2019 NYC Council Committee on Health oversight hearing, the NYC Department of Health testified that in 2017, more than 17 percent of the city’s high school students reported vaping at least once during the previous month; and

                     Whereas, Many news sources reported that some NYC students are vaping inside of schools, and according to a November 2018 article in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Bronx High School of Science closed six bathrooms to prevent students from vaping in them; and

                     Whereas, The WSJ also reported that the Bronx High School of Science informed parents that patrolling school bathrooms was ineffective in stopping students from using them to vape, and thus, the school decided to take additional action; and

                     Whereas, As reported by Fox 5 News and ABC News, statewide, schools are installing vape detectors to prevent students from the harms of vaping on campus; and

Whereas, It is imperative that NYC schools also take such measures to help protect the health and wellbeing of the city’s students; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Department of Education to install vape detectors in New York City public schools.

Session 12

CP

LS #2305

1/13/22

Session 11

KJ

LS #10029