[writerchick]

My son was telling me about a disturbing trend at his middle school. Kids are chewing Nicotine gum and wearing nicotine patches to get a buzz. These aren't kids who are trying to quit smoking, these are kids who haven't even necessarily tried a cigarette. It's such a problem that at an assembly, the principal told the kids that use of these things would be treated like a drug violation. Has anyone else heard of this?

[DianeScraps]

Wow, no, I hadn't heard about it - but I agree - it should definitely come under drug violation

[pattiewrites]

I've never heard of it either. I wonder how they are getting them. Stores are supposed to ID for these, just like with cigarettes.

[writerchick]

I guess from their parents' stash? I don't know. Same way some kids get cigarettes. I always thought kids started smoking because they thought it looked cool, not for the nicotine. What's cool about chewing gum or wearing a patch?

[workingdad]

Originally Posted by writerchick

I guess from their parents' stash? I don't know. Same way some kids get cigarettes. I always thought kids started smoking because they thought it looked cool, not for the nicotine. What's cool about chewing gum or wearing a patch?

I don't think kids start smoking just because it looks cool. Part of it's the same reason adults smoke: stress, tension, anxiety -- life is hard! Ask adults why they smoke -- their answers will really not be all that different, if you can -- as it were! -- filter out the rationalizations.
i'm sure there will be many a study devoted to why the kids are chewing the gum or wearing the patch. This is a very stimulated society, and it's not a suprise that kids seek stimulation.

[writerchick]

All right, one more disturbing thing about kids and needing stimulation. Now at my son's middle school there is a vending machine with Monster energy drinks! What seventh grader needs to be drinking these? I thought soda was bad enough.

[workingdad]

Originally Posted by writerchick

All right, one more disturbing thing about kids and needing stimulation. Now at my son's middle school there is a vending machine with Monster energy drinks! What seventh grader needs to be drinking these? I thought soda was bad enough.

well, if they're up all night smoking.....
i'm kidding, sorry. You are right. my nephew likes one particular kind. It's just another example of how susceptible we can be to marketing techniques.

[writerchick]

Let's see, we take out recess, our kids eat junk food, wear nicotine patches and drink energy drinks. Yikes! Bring back dodgeball and homemade school lunches.

[writerchick]

I asked my son about the energy drink situation at school, and he said the machine has been removed. Someone obviously came to their senses! He said there is a machine with Sobe energy drinks in it, but I don't think these are full of the caffeine and such as bad as some of the others.

[workingdad]

I don't know, but check to see of those Sobe drinks have high fructose corn syrup. If they do, they're just as bad as the soft drinks.