BIXBY, Okla. — Bixby Public Schools is calling it a vaping awareness campaign.
As the problem grows across the district, the staff is making changes to educate and discipline.
"I don't know that people anticipated how quickly this habit would catch on. I think the National Institute for Health said about a 78 percent increase in young, high-school aged students last year alone," superintendent Rob Miller said.
Other studies show one in three high school students nationwide vapied in the last year. The principal at Bixby High School said his campus isn't immune.
"It seems to cross all types of groups of kids these days. Athletes to band kids to just regular kids that come to school. We catch vapers from every different group," principal Terry Adams said.
The district will be looking at many changes over the next few weeks, from tobacco-free signs to sensors in the bathroom.
"We catch some students, obviously. But I also hear stories, a lot of times from my own kids and other students here about students that vape in the bathroom. We've caught and had reports of students even vaping in the classroom," Adams said.
If caught vaping this year students could be suspended, or owe money if they get a ticket from a school resource officer.
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