Grand Island Public Schools Associate Superintendent Robin Dexter told much the same story but said the Grand Island schools have seen most of their problems with e-cigarettes associated with middle school students.

Dexter said she has heard from middle school staff that, when students are caught using e-cigarettes, they typically protest that they didn’t know their use was against the rules. She said the response by middle school staff is, “Oh? Then why are you trying to hide your e-cigarettes?”

Like Northwest, Grand Island has language prohibiting students from using look-alike products, so it has been able to deal with students who try to use e-cigarettes, she said.

However, both the student handbook and school policy will be changed to make it clear that “vapor products” and “alternative nicotine products” are prohibited, not just tobacco.

State law change

Dexter said the Nebraska Legislature has amended state law to keep up with the new technology. She said the pertinent section of the law says, “Whoever, being a minor under the age of 18 years, shall smoke cigarettes or cigars, use vapor products or alternative nicotine products or use tobacco in any form whatever, in this state, shall be guilty of a Class V misdemeanor.”