Kokua Line: Electronic smoking device overlooked by some adults

Question: What is juuling? My grandson got in trouble for it at school. I never heard of it.

Answer: JUUL is a brand of electronic cigarette used to inhale vaporized nicotine, marijuana or other substances; the habit is known as juuling. This particular e-cig is considered especially easy to conceal, vexing schools across the country. Unfamiliar adults might mistake a JUUL pen for a computer flash drive or mechanical pencil, according to news reports.

The device’s standard pod of e-liquid contains about the same amount of addictive nicotine as a pack of regular cigarettes. Its e-­liquid comes in fruit flavors, which health advocates decry as a dangerous lure for children. As with other electronic smoking devices, users are not limited to e-liquid from the manufacturer and could inhale other substances.

Hawaii high school students are much more likely than their peers nationally to use e-cigarettes, according to the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. More than 25 percent of Hawaii students surveyed had used an electronic vapor product at least once in the prior 30 days, compared with about 13 percent of high schoolers nationwide. Electronic vapor products included e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pipes, vaping pens, e-hookahs and hookah pens.

You can read the survey’s comparisons on e-cig use and other risky behaviors among high school students at 808ne.ws/hiecig.

As for why your grandson got in trouble, anti-­smoking rules apply to electronic smoking devices as they do to conventional combustible cigarettes, according to Hawaii’s Department of Education, which provided the following information:

“Smoking, including the use of electronic smoking devices, is prohibited under Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 8, Chapter 19, which is the Department of Education’s student misconduct and discipline code. The rule applies to smoking on school campuses, on DOE transportation and during any DOE-sponsored activities or events, on or off campus.

“The department issued guidance to schools and families in December 2015, after Hawaii state law (808ne.ws/smokelaw) was expanded that year to prohibit the use of electronic smoking devices in all areas where smoking is prohibited. As a result, possession and/or use of such electronic smoking devices is considered a Class C offense, and students who bring such devices to school are subject to Chapter 19 disciplinary consequences (808ne.ws/chap19).

“Additionally, the devices are considered contraband as state law prohibits any minor under the age of 21 to purchase or possess any tobacco product or electronic smoking device. Under DOE guidelines, any such devices found in a student’s possession shall be seized and forfeited to law enforcement.

“Regarding adults on campus, the state’s Smoke-Free Environment law (808ne.ws/smokefree) prohibits smoking and electronic smoking in educational settings.”

E kala mai

On Saturday I needed to cut over busy lanes after the Kinau Street offramp to get to Kewalo Street. I had to cut in front of a dark-colored Toyota truck, which I think the driver did not appreciate. He did not honk or flip me off (I would not have blamed him if he had). I want to say sorry and mahalos for letting me, as I needed to get home as soon as possible. — Michael

Mahalo

Mahalo to Hawaii Pacific Health for presenting a free community health education event Saturday at the Ala Moana Hotel. The program, “Getting a Grip on Arthritis,” featured experts who presented methods to manage chronic conditions such as joint pain and arthritis. It helped the many kupuna who attended. — Ruth

Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.29-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.