News Article
Are kids using nicotine in the classroom? What to look for and how to talk about risks
As students return to the classroom this fall, they’ll be excited to show off new clothes, sneakers, and electronics — and possibly nicotine products.
Federal data show that 1.44 million middle and high school students currently vape nicotine. While disposable e-cigarettes remain the most popular nicotine product among students, oral nicotine pouches and cannabis products also raise concerns.
Many of these products, especially oral nicotine pouches and disposable vapes, are discreet and easily concealed, so it’s important that parents and educators know what to look for and how to talk to students who use nicotine.
Look out for: Oral nicotine pouches
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Oral nicotine pouches, such as market leader Zyn, are a new and rapidly expanding category of nicotine products. These small, white pouches filled with nicotine powder and flavors can be placed discreetly between the top lip and gum. Due to their placement, they are sometimes called a “lip pillow” or “upper decky.”
Zyn is currently the brand with the largest market share, followed by On! and Rogue pouches. Like many youth-appealing e-cigarettes, oral nicotine pouches come in a variety of flavors including fruit, mint, coffee, cinnamon, and more. They also come in a variety of nicotine strengths, with some containing high concentrations of nicotine.
As of 2025, youth use of oral nicotine pouches is relatively low, with less than 2% of middle and high school students reporting current use of pouches. Regardless, the discreet nature of the pouches (they are difficult to detect once inserted into the mouth) and their sweet and fruity flavors have raised concerns about the potential for youth appeal.
Look out for: “Smart” vapes that resemble gaming devices
Touch screen vape
In the newest trend among disposable e-cigarettes, manufacturers are now adding high-tech elements such as Bluetooth capability, high-definition screens, and speakers to their e-cigarette products, with some versions including games similar to Pac-Man and Tetris.
Some of these products, such as the Craftbox V-Play 20k disposable vape, feature video game controls that make the e-cigarette look like a handheld gaming device. Other brands include wireless speakers that users can pair with their phones, and some even light up while music is playing. Many of these products are sold for $20 or less, making them affordable for cost-conscious young people.
Students who use nicotine should be approached with support
How to talk to students about nicotine use
The best way to address youth nicotine use in the classroom is to help students quit.
If you discover a student using nicotine, it's best to respond with support, not punishment. Students who violate tobacco policies should be approached in a supportive way that focuses on encouraging them to quit. Suspending students can cause even more problems at school and beyond, leading to lower test scores and graduation rates, among other poor outcomes.
Share a smarter way to quit nicotine with EX Program
EX Program by Truth Initiative is a free, evidence-based digital quit program that can increase the odds of quitting with personalized quit plans, interactive text messages, expert resources, and a closely monitored online support community.
An evaluation of EX Program found that enrolled teens were 35% more likely to report not using nicotine after the seven-month study period.
EX Program has also been shown to be effective at helping young people reduce cannabis use.
Bring a free nicotine prevention curriculum to your classroom
It’s important to introduce all students to vaping prevention and quit resources. To help schools address youth nicotine use, Truth Initiative and offers a national youth vaping prevention curriculum called Vaping: Know the truth.
The free, self-guided curriculum offers a modern approach to guide students through the dangers associated with nicotine use, giving them the facts about smoking, vaping, oral nicotine pouches, hookah, and cannabis.
The entire curriculum can be accessed online at no cost through EVERFI, a leader in social impact learning.
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