Each year, approximately 3 million students in the U.S. are suspended, with disproportionate impacts on Black students and students with disabilities.

Suspension is commonly used in school tobacco and substance use policies as a response to students who vape.3,4

 

What Is Suspension Actually Doing?
Suspension may not be achieving its intended purpose. In fact, it has several detrimental effects2,5:

• Increased Risk of Negative Health Outcomes: Studies show significant links between suspension and increased tobacco, drug use, and mental health challenges, both during adolescence and in adulthood.
• Cycle of Exclusion: Students suspended for minor infractions are more likely to face further suspensions, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion.
• Disconnection from Education: Suspension isolates students, hindering their engagement in learning.
• Affects Educational Trajectory: Long-term suspensions disrupt academic progress and contribute to higher dropout rates.

Overall, suspension is often ineffective in changing student behavior and fails to address the underlying issues such as trauma and unmet mental health needs.

 

A Need for Alternatives to Suspension for Students Who Vape
There is an identified need to replace punitive measures with restorative practices that focus on mitigating the negative effects of suspension for students who vape, a need that is supported and prioritized by the CDC 3 and partnering organizations.

 

ReFRESH: A Restorative Vaping Intervention Program

 

ReFRESH is a 1-hour, web-based, interactive course designed as an alternative to suspension for students who vape. It is highly accessible and focuses on educating students about the risks of vaping, encouraging self-reflection, and building skills to manage stress, cravings, and social pressures. The program prioritizes mental health and behavioral support, empowering students to identify trusted adults, seek help, and advocate for themselves. Through interactive and engaging modules, ReFRESH helps students develop healthier behaviors, fostering personal growth and well-being.
ReFRESH transforms suspension into an opportunity for:

• Education: Students gain critical knowledge about the risks of vaping on physical and mental health, the impact of their choices on their life and relationships, and healthier alternatives.
• Self-Reflection and Skill-Focused Growth: Through evidence-informed strategies, students address the underlying reasons for their behavior while building essential skills to manage stress, cravings, and social pressures.
• Mental Health and Behavioral Support: The program prioritizes emotional and social well-being, teaching evidence-based skills while empowering students to identify trusted adults, seek support, and advocate for themselves when needed.
• Educational and Skill-Building Engagement: Interactive modules with activities for practice ensure students remain engaged and motivated while learning critical knowledge and skills.

 

Citations:

1. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d18/tables/dt18_233.30.asp

2. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/su/su7304a8.htm#:~:text=Few%20studies%20have%20investigated%20the,between%20school%20discipline%20and%20health.

3. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/pdfs/supporting-schools-to-quit-tobacco-use-as-an-alternative-to-suspension.pdf

4. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/discipline-not-answer

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32528191/