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19. November 2025
Teen Vaping Epidemic Hits Local High School
The Rise of Vaping in Schools: A Growing Concern for Educators and Students Alike
In the halls of Phoenix Union High School District’s Wilson High School, a new epidemic had taken hold. Not one of social media or technology addiction, but something far more insidious – nicotine addiction brought on by vaping. Laila Gutierrez, now 18, was just one of many freshmen who swapped self-harm for the rush of e-cigarettes. Her story is all too familiar: a shy teenager struggling with depression and anxiety, desperate for an escape from her emotions.
Gutierrez’s journey into the world of vaping began several years ago, when she first took a drag on a friend’s vape. At the time, it was just a harmless fad – a way to relax after school or share a laugh with friends. But as time went on, Gutierrez found herself hooked on nicotine. Her sadness only deepened after her uncle died, and she couldn’t turn to her grieving parents for comfort. Vaping became her coping mechanism.
“I would ask my friends who had them, ‘I’m going through a lot, can I use it?’” Gutierrez recalled in an interview with The 74. “Or ‘I failed my test and I feel like smoking would be better than cutting my wrists.’ It worked – until she got caught. Her suspension for vaping in the school bathroom marked the beginning of a journey that would take her to the depths of addiction and back again.”
Gutierrez is far from alone. Across the country, students are facing similar struggles with nicotine addiction brought on by vaping. Educators, who once saw e-cigarettes as a minor nuisance, have come to realize the severity of the issue. In response, schools are turning to digital surveillance tools and discipline to crack down on underage vaping.
But is this approach working? The answer lies in a complex web of factors that contribute to the widespread adoption of vaping among teenagers. Social pressure, peer influence, and emotional struggles all play a role – and for many students, it’s not just about nicotine addiction. Vaping has become an integral part of high school life, defining social status, friend groups, and coping strategies.
At my school, vaping starts because you want to be part of the popular crowd, you want to get invited to parties, you want to feel like you’re a part of a community," said Ayaan Moledina, a 16-year-old from Austin, Texas. “And you start doing those things because you’re pressured into doing it.” Moledina says he doesn’t vape and has been excluded socially as a result – a common experience among students who choose not to participate in the vaping culture.
Vape manufacturers have played a significant role in the rise of vaping among teenagers. Companies like Juul, Vuse, and Logic have leveraged online advertisements on popular websites, including those of Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, to hook kids on e-cigarettes. The result is a generation of teenagers who view vaping as an acceptable and even desirable behavior.
But what about the risks associated with vaping? Nicotine addiction can have devastating consequences for young people – including impaired cognitive development, respiratory problems, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Educators and policymakers are struggling to find effective solutions to address these issues.
Digital surveillance tools have emerged as a relatively new approach in the fight against underage vaping. Minneapolis Public Schools has launched a pilot program using vape detectors that scan students’ belongings for nicotine and cannabis. While some argue that these measures infringe on students’ rights to privacy, others see them as a necessary step towards creating safer schools.
Public records obtained by The 74 from the Minneapolis Public Schools program reveal the severity of the problem and the efforts being made to contain it. Students are being caught vaping in school bathrooms with alarming frequency – often without any consequence beyond a warning or detention. It’s a system that’s broken, according to many educators and students who have spoken out against the approach.
“I don’t think it’s effective,” said Gutierrez. “I mean, I got caught vaping in my own school bathroom and got suspended – what was I supposed to do? Quit cold turkey? It didn’t work that way.”
Gutierrez is part of a growing movement of students, educators, and parents who are calling for more effective solutions to address underage vaping. Rather than discipline or surveillance, they advocate for evidence-based programs that provide support and resources for young people struggling with nicotine addiction.
These programs focus on the root causes of vaping – social pressure, peer influence, emotional struggles, and lack of access to resources. They offer alternatives like counseling, mentorship, and substance abuse treatment – rather than simply punishing students who vape. The problem isn’t just vaping – it’s a culture of fear, shame, and exclusion," said Dr. Sarah Williams, a pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital. “We need to create an environment that encourages vulnerability, trust, and open communication. That’s the only way we’ll ever hope to address the root causes of nicotine addiction.”
As the vaping epidemic continues to spread, educators, policymakers, and students must come together to find effective solutions. It won’t be easy – but it’s essential for creating safer schools, healthier communities, and a brighter future for America’s youth.
Gutierrez’s story is one of hope and resilience. Despite her struggles with nicotine addiction, she found a way out – by speaking out, advocating for change, and seeking support from those who care. For many students like Gutierrez, there’s still a way forward – if we work together to create an environment that values health, well-being, and young people’s rights above all else.