CCS students hear about effects of vaping

Chase County fifth graders through seniors got a lesson on the dangers of vaping Tuesday afternoon.
Perkins County Health Services Dr. John Byrd, nurse Courtney Turner and University of Nebraska Med Center resident Justin Engberg talked to CCS students about what is bad about vaping and the permanent effects it can have on a person’s body.
Volunteers got to experience the effects by breathing through tiny straws while plugging their noses.
While nicotine can change a person’s behavior, it’s the flavoring, plastic and heavy metals in vapes that cause the most lung damage. Once lungs are damaged, the effects are permanent.
Dr. Byrd told students people who vape are four times more likely to take part in risky behaviors.
During the two sessions, one for high school students and one for fifth through eighth graders, two questions were asked by both groups.
One question asked if it is bad to breathe in what someone who is vaping breathes out, like second hand smoke from a cigarette. Dr. Byrd said there are health concerns associated with that.
Students in both groups were also concerned about what happens to people who vape and have another condition like asthma. Vaping leaves everyone more susceptible to lung infections, especially those with other conditions, he said.
The younger group also had concerns about what they should do if they see someone vaping and how they can help someone who is vaping.
Both groups asked questions until it was time to go back to their classrooms.