The state of Nebraska state is changing its policy for e-cigarettes and tobacco products beginning September 1, 2019. School Resource Officer Jeff Kilgore said that if a minor is caught with an e-cigarette or tobacco product they can be charged with a Minor In Possession. 

“What’s changed for [police officers] is the state law,” Kilgore said. “The state statute came out and if you’re under 19 years of age as of September 1st [and are] caught with a nicotine delivery system you can be charged with a [Minor In Possession].”

Kilgore said that he thinks students vaping in school disrupt the environment for their peers. 

“I ask kids all the time ‘why aren’t you going to the bathroom during passing period?’,” Kilgore said. “[The answer] I usually hear is ‘because during passing period there are always kids in the bathroom vaping’.”

To combat the issue of teen vaping in school, Westside has put in place consequences such as out of school suspensions.

“[The school’s policy is] at a first offense, a one day suspension,” Kilgore said. “[After that], the second offense is a three day suspension and [the consequences] go up from there.”

Dean Jordan Rhodes said that students caught vaping will watch videos teaching them about the dangers of vaping upon returning from their suspension. 

“There will be video modules [for students] when they return from their suspension,” Rhodes said. “Hopefully [this can] educate [students] about the dangers of vaping.”