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The Student Newspaper of Algonquin Regional High School
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79 Bartlett Street, Northborough MA 01532
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HARBINGER DECEMBER 2017
.
VOL. 30 NO. 2
Va p e
cultur e 34%
of Algonquin students admit they have vaped. E-cigarette usage across the country has spiked among adolescents in recent years, leaving students, parents and faculty wondering if the outbreak is a fad, or if it is here to stay. By paige morse & cassidy wang
Editors-in-Chief
photo illustration rebecca poretsky
I
“It’s like eating a nice, warm piece of pie, or something that’s nice and warm,” said Carmen*, an Algonquin senior, as she described the sensation that vaping provides. “It’s comforting almost.”
It all started on the last day of her sophomore year: Carmen attended a sleepover with her closest friends, and a boyfriend was there with his vape. “We all just took a hit,” Carmen said. Carmen “didn’t really think too much of it” the first time she vaped. It was simply fun and enjoyable, and definitely something she wanted to try again. “I thought it was cool and interesting,” Carmen said. “I tried to do some tricks [such as blowing rings]. At first everyone coughs and chokes on it, but I thought it was fun.”
Carmen is one of the 34 percent of Algonquin students who have vaped, according to a Harbinger survey of 368 students from December 4 to December 10 through Google Forms. Of those who vape, 17 percent began vaping before freshman year. Often employing devices such as a JUUL or Phix, users inhale and exhale vapor which, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, contains nicotine, ultrafine particles, diacetyl (a chemical that has been linked to cancer), heavy metals and organic compounds. Since her first time vaping, Carmen often vapes by herself while driving. As someone who was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and cannot focus on one thing, she resorts to pulling out her Phix, a vaping device she purchased for 40 dollars at Vape City in Westborough. Vaping is “just something to do” during her mundane daily routine to relieve boredom. Carmen vapes in social settings as well. According to the Harbinger survey, 73 percent of vape users vape at parties, 80 percent vape with close
friends and 44 percent vape alone. “In social situations, people definitely [feel pressured] because literally everyone is doing it,” Carmen said. Albert,* a senior whose friend purchased a Suorin Air vape for him at Vape City in November, uses vaping as his vice to relieve stress buildup. According to the Harbinger survey, 24 percent of students who vape own their own vaping device. Albert originally was opposed to vaping, but that all changed one day in class. Since “a bunch of kids were just going around hitting it,” Albert decided to join in. Albert now vapes about ten times a day, on days when he does not purposely leave his vape at home to prevent becoming addicted to nicotine. “I personally have had some events in my life that have caused a lot of stress, and it just helps get your mind off of things and relax you,” Albert said. Since the first time, vaping has allowed him to divert his attention from causes of stress in his daily life. “The more stuff you see about
how nasty humanity can get, the more sane that this stuff seems,” Albert said. “Because of certain events that have happened to me, I was just looking for absolutely anything to help relieve the stress, but I did not want to get into hardcore stuff.” For Albert, vaping provides a certain “sensation of the brain” that he cannot find from doing anything else. Other vape users agree. “This is going to get weird, but it’s a headrush that’s almost orgasmic, but it’s all in the head,” Albert said. “I have noticed that if I am taking in a lot, the headrush is bigger. I’ve noticed that sometimes colors can get vibrant, but it’s not necessarily an ‘under the influence’ feeling where my reactions are slow.” “It feels good if you vape a lot really quickly,” Carmen said. “It’s called getting ‘nicked’ out because it’s nicotine. It’s a little headrush, so it’s just a quick and easier way to get a little buzzed without having to smoke or drink or do anything major.”
th e d e v i c e s
A Phix starter pack can be purchased for 40 dollars.
courtesy phixvapor.com
Courtesy juulvapor.com
A JUUL starter pack costs around 45 dollars.
*Names of students have been changed to maintain anonymity
Courtesy suorinusa.com
A Suorin Air starts at 20 dollars.
continued on pg . 12