CANTON, Ga. — The Cherokee County School Board unanimously approved on Thursday an updated student discipline code for next school year, which significantly toughens punishments for student vaping.

Beginning on the first day of school, any students found with vaping devices or oil will be treated as if they are in possession of felony-level marijuana, the district said. This "extreme" zero-tolerance policy, with punishments including immediate external suspension from school, long-term reassignment to an alternative school and possible expulsion, comes in the wake of a rising number of students using these dangerous devices at school.

"It's an extreme measure, but this is an extreme situation that deserves an extreme measure," School Board Attorney Tom Roach said, as he detailed the policy. The policy will shift the burden to students to prove that their devices and oils do not contain marijuana-derived THC oil in order to avoid the most serious punishments, but even if that is proved, students still will face discipline for possessing nicotine-based or other vaping products.

Superintendent Brian Hightower said, in addition to communication shared with parents earlier this school year about the dangers of any vaping, his staff will launch a more extensive public awareness campaign next school year. This campaign will include a student public service announcement video contest, with a $500 cash prize donated by the Service League of Cherokee County. "Students and their parents need to understand that vaping is dangerous: short-term, you can overdose and suffer serious resulting health problems or death; long-term, you can damage your brain and lungs, and maybe worse, as too little research has been done," Hightower said. "We hope students who are vaping and may be addicted to nicotine or THC will heed this warning and seek immediate help for treatment."

Additionally at the meeting, as part of its approval of the superintendent's monthly personnel recommendations, the School Board filled the last leadership vacancies for next school year.