Vaping in Schools: How Teachers Can Help Prevent Vape Usage

The rise of vaping in schools has become one of the most pressing health challenges facing educators today, with more than 1.6 million kids in the United States using e-cigarettes. Discreet devices, fruity flavors, and social media influence have made e-cigarettes appealing to teens, while the dangers of nicotine addiction and exposure to harmful chemicals often go unnoticed. Over 2.1 million students learned critical health and wellness skills through Everfi’s digital programs last school year — proof that prevention and education work when schools take a proactive approach.

This article examines how teachers can identify the signs a student is vaping in school, address the underlying mental health and social factors, and utilize trusted school-based prevention programs to make a meaningful impact.

Main Takeaways

• Vaping continues to be a health concern for high school students, as 5.9% of high schoolers currently use vape products.
• Teachers play a key role in identifying early warning signs and connecting students to prevention and support resources.
• Mental health education is a powerful tool in addressing nicotine addiction in youth and the coping behaviors that drive it.

Table of Contents

1. What Is Vaping and Why Is It a Concern in Schools?
2. How Common Is Vaping Among Students?
3. What Are the Signs a Student Might Be Vaping?
4. How Is Cannabis Vaping Different From Nicotine Vaping?
5. What Should Teachers Know About Fentanyl and Vaping?
6. Why Is Mental Health Education Important in Vape Prevention?
7. How Can Schools Create a Vape-Free Culture?
8. What Resources Are Available to Support Teachers?
9. Final Thoughts: Empowering Teachers to Lead Prevention Efforts

What Is Vaping and Why Is It a Concern in Schools?

Vaping refers to inhaling vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or vape pen, which heats a liquid — usually containing nicotine, THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis), or other substances. These devices can look like USB drives, pens, or cosmetic items, making them easy to conceal from teachers.

The concern isn’t just about rule-breaking — it’s about health and brain development. Nicotine can alter brain chemistry in adolescents, leading to nicotine addiction in youth, mood disorders, and impaired attention and learning. Inhaling vaporized chemicals also poses risks to the lungs and cardiovascular system.

The discreet nature of vaping devices makes detection difficult, placing added pressure on teachers and administrators to remain vigilant and informed.

How Common Is Vaping Among Students?

Despite growing awareness campaigns, vaping among youth remains widespread. National surveys show that millions of middle and high school students use e-cigarettes each year. Social media trends, peer pressure, and the widespread availability of flavored products have all contributed to this surge.

Educators report that vaping in schools has become commonplace in bathrooms, hallways, and even classrooms. Some students mistakenly believe vapes are harmless or “just flavored air.” Others turn to vaping to manage stress or fit in with peers.

Everfi’s Vaping: Know the Truth program helps correct these misconceptions. Students who completed the course experienced an average learning gain of 31%, and 68% reported greater awareness of vaping’s risks. Even more encouraging, 97% of teachers who used the course rated its content as “good” or “excellent.”

What Are the Signs a Student Might Be Vaping?

Teachers are often the first to notice behavioral or physical signs of vaping.

Behavioral signs that a student is vaping include:

• Frequent or unexplained bathroom visits or trips outdoors
• Secrecy about possessions or behavior
• Sudden mood changes or irritability

Physical signs that a student is vaping may include:

• Unusual sweet or chemical odors on clothes
• Drinking more water
• Nosebleeds
• Persistent coughing or shortness of breath
• Decreased athletic performance

Academic signs that a student might be vaping include:

• Reduced focus
• Declining grades
• Attendance problems

When teachers recognize the early signs of vaping in schools, they can address concerns compassionately and refer students to support services.

To help teachers take action, Everfi offers a Prevention Toolkit, a Mental Health Toolkit, and a range of health and wellness resources, including lesson plans and conversation guides.

How Is Cannabis Vaping Different From Nicotine Vaping?

While nicotine vapes remain the most common, THC vapes are increasingly popular among high school students. In 2022, 21% of 12th graders and 15% of 10th graders reported vaping cannabis in the past year. In comparison, the CDC released a 2023 report in which 10% of high school students reported using standard (non-THC) e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. THC vape devices deliver concentrated cannabis oil, often with far higher potency than traditional marijuana.

THC vapes can be even harder to detect. They often emit little odor, and cartridges are easily disguised. Teachers should also be aware of the risks of synthetic cannabinoids and counterfeit products — many of which contain harmful contaminants or unpredictable chemicals.

Education is key. When students understand the potential consequences — including impaired memory, anxiety, and long-term dependency — they’re better equipped to make safer choices.

What Should Teachers Know About Fentanyl and Vaping?

An emerging concern is the potential for fentanyl-laced vape cartridges, particularly those purchased illegally. Fentanyl — a synthetic opioid up to 100 times more potent than morphine — has appeared in counterfeit THC and nicotine products, leading to tragic overdoses nationwide.

Teachers need to work closely with school counselors, nurses, and resource officers to ensure students understand the dangers of vaping in schools. Everfi’s Prescription Drug Safety program provides lessons on drug misuse and safe decision-making. Students who completed it experienced a 35% learning gain, and 12% more students felt prepared to support others during the fentanyl crisis.

Why Is Mental Health Education Important in Vape Prevention?

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 7 teens experiences a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression. It’s estimated that more than 3% of teens experience depression, and more than 5% live with an anxiety disorder.

About half of the students who vape do so to cope with stress and anxiety, according to Truth Initiative. Vaping isn’t just a physical addiction — it’s often an emotional coping mechanism. Equipping students with mental health strategies and tools can help them choose healthier coping mechanisms that provide long-term relief from stress and anxiety.

Everfi’s Understanding Mental Wellness course, along with its other health and wellness resources, helps students develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and help-seeking skills. After completing it, students showed a 19% average learning gain, and:

• 24% more students said they were likely to talk to friends about mental health issues.
• 49% more said they’d talk to a teacher if someone were depressed.

By integrating mental health topics into classroom discussions, teachers can help students develop healthier ways to handle stress, reducing the appeal of vaping as a coping strategy.

How Can Schools Create a Vape-Free Culture?

Creating a vape-free school culture takes consistent effort, open communication, and collaboration.

Here are four ways schools can help:

1. Start with education. Incorporate interactive programs, such as Everfi’s health and wellness lessons, that provide science-based information in an engaging format.
2. Promote open dialogue. Encourage honest discussions about vaping, addiction, and mental health without judgment.
3. Empower peer leadership. Train student ambassadors to lead awareness campaigns and serve as role models for positive behavior.
4. Reinforce supportive policies. Focus on education and recovery rather than punishment for students caught vaping.

Building a truly vape-free campus isn’t easy, but a community-wide approach that prioritizes connection and understanding can make real progress.

What Resources Are Available to Support Teachers?

Teachers don’t have to tackle this challenge alone. Everfi provides a comprehensive suite of free digital prevention education resources, designed to engage students in meaningful discussions about health, wellness, and decision-making.

From Vaping: Know the Truth to Understanding Mental Wellness and Prescription Drug Safety, each course is age-appropriate, standards-aligned, and ready to use. Teachers can explore the full catalog through Everfi’s Health and Wellness Resources.

These digital programs not only save time but also deliver measurable impact — helping teachers track student learning gains and shifts in awareness.

Final Thoughts: Empowering Teachers to Lead Prevention Efforts

Teachers are uniquely positioned to notice early warning signs, start meaningful conversations, and guide students toward healthier choices. With the right tools and resources, educators can lead effective school-based prevention programs that reduce vaping, strengthen mental health, and build resilience.

By staying informed, fostering open dialogue, and using trusted educational resources like those from Everfi, teachers can empower the next generation to make choices that protect their well-being.

Vaping may be a growing issue in schools — but with informed, compassionate educators leading the way, prevention is possible.