NORFOLK, Va. — There’s a new danger disguised as school supplies. The Food and Drug Administration is warning parents about vapes that look like highlighters and other items young people use regularly.
Videos on the social media platform TikTok show vape pens disguised as highlighters. Highlightvape.com sells various colored vapes that look like regular office tools.
The FDA posted photos of the dupes online, warning parents to look out for the devices and is cracking down on retailers selling them.
“I think all of it is alarming,” said Dr. Simanta Dutta, a pulmonologist with Sentara, who went on to say more young people are getting their hands on vapes.
“The recent studies have shown that one in five high schoolers and one in 20 middle schoolers have used some form of e-cigarette in the past 30 days which is huge,” Dr. Dutta said.
He said some people put unregulated chemicals in the devices, which can cause severe lung damage.
“We just don’t have too many studies as of yet,” Dr. Dutta said. “What is the effect what is the toxic dose of the different solvents, flavorings, the other things they put in these vaping devices? We had known of one particular chemical, diacetyl that caused a lung injury called popcorn lungs, so it is very scary.”
School division administrators for Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, Hampton Roads biggest divisions, told 13News Now they haven’t seen highlighter vapes in schools this year.
A spokesperson for Chesapeake Public Schools said staff members share e-cigarette trends during meetings. A Virginia Beach City Public Schools spokesperson shared they have a substance abuse intervention program for first-time offenders. They said school security conducts regular bathroom checks.
On the shelves at 7 Cities Vapes, you won’t find any deceiving vapes.
“We would never sell anything like that,” said owner Duane Lassiter. “It is irresponsible. I don’t see the point in it at all. If you are an adult and you are doing things legally.”
Duane Lassiter said he opened the shop after vaping helped him kick his tobacco habit.
“It worked for me, it got me away from cigarettes instantly,” Lassiter said. “I have never looked back. I still have the last cigarette that is in my pack from almost 11 years ago.”
The army veteran said it’s his mission to help other people try an alternative to smoking. There’s a big box in his store filled with old cigarette packs.
“Those are all people who traded their packs in to start vaping,” Lassiter said.
No one under 21 can buy a vape, according to Virginia law. Lassiter displays signs across his store and says he cards all who enter.
“I have had grandmothers walk in and I am like hey need to see your ID,” Lassiter said.
Lassiter said there are some bad apples in the region selling to anyone. But he says he and his partners do their part to keep vapes in the hands of adults.
“We are in it to try and save a billion lives,” Lassiter said. “I truly in all my heart believe this is the way to get rid of combustible cigarettes and have future generations not dependent on nicotine.”
The FDA recently launched a website to inform parents of the latest vape trends targeting children and ways to talk with them about it.