San Diego Unified School District is considering legal action to confront the growing public health concern.
As electronic cigarette use and vaping-related injuries become more common throughout the country, San Diego Unified Superintendent Cindy Marten is calling for the district to join a recent class-action lawsuit filed by Los Angeles Unified School District against e-cigarette producer Juul.
“We’re attacking this from all fronts,” Marten said. “What’s always most important is education and prevention.”
The announcement came on Monday during a public discussion with health experts and educators from across San Diego County.
A study, released Nov. 5, found that more than 27% of high school students currently use e-cigarettes.
The district has been addressing the rise in vaping at schools with what Marten referred to as “restorative” practices, relying on counseling to remedy the root causes of vaping use rather than resorting to suspensions or expulsions.
The district is also developing a curriculum to better educate students on the dangers of vaping.
“It’s not just, ‘You got caught, now you’re in trouble,’” she said. “No students get to take this class to learn more about it."
