Absenteeism and Vaping: The Hidden Cost to Student Success

Zeptive
Sep 18
3 min read

Key Points:

Vaping contributes to rising student absenteeism, especially due to health complications and disciplinary action.
Chronic absenteeism is linked to poorer academic performance and higher dropout risk.
Schools can take proactive steps to reduce vaping-related absences through detection, education, and support.

Addressing vaping among students isn’t just about health or discipline - it’s also about attendance. Across the U.S., vaping has quietly become a contributing factor to chronic absenteeism, disrupting student learning and putting long-term academic outcomes at risk.

While the connection may not always be obvious, the data tells a clear story: students who vape are more likely to miss school. Whether due to health issues, substance-related suspension, or emotional burnout, vaping interferes with students' ability to show up, stay focused, and succeed.

How Vaping Leads to Missed School Days

There are several ways vaping contributes to school absenteeism:

1. Health Complications: E-cigarette use can cause respiratory issues such as chronic coughing, bronchitis, and shortness of breath - particularly among youth with asthma or other preexisting conditions. The CDC has reported cases of EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury) among adolescents, some of which required hospitalization. Even minor symptoms, like frequent headaches or nausea, can result in increased time spent at home.

2. Mental Health Strain: Teens who vape are more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety. These mental health struggles can contribute to school avoidance, withdrawal from peers, and chronic absenteeism. One national study showed that students who vaped were significantly more likely to report low school engagement and poor attendance.

3. Suspensions and Disciplinary Action: Many school districts have zero-tolerance policies when it comes to vaping on campus. Students caught with vape devices may be suspended or even referred to juvenile court systems. Each suspension means lost instructional time and an increased risk of academic decline.

4. Addiction Withdrawal: Nicotine is highly addictive, especially for adolescent brains. Students addicted to vaping may leave class frequently to use, or skip school altogether due to cravings, withdrawal symptoms, or shame related to their use.

The Academic Cost of Chronic Absenteeism

The U.S. Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as missing 15 or more school days in a year. It’s associated with:

Lower reading and math proficiency
Higher risk of failing courses or repeating grades
Decreased high school graduation rates
Lower college enrollment and future earnings

When vaping contributes to absenteeism, even indirectly, it puts students on a trajectory that can be difficult to reverse.

What Schools Can Do

1. Invest in Detection

Vape detectors in restrooms, locker rooms, and other common use areas can deter use and help schools respond quickly. Zeptive’s smart sensors provide real-time alerts and data insights that help administrators identify problem areas without excessive surveillance.

2. Shift from Punishment to Support

Instead of punitive-only responses, consider restorative practices that include counseling, tobacco cessation education, and mental health support. Creating pathways for students to get help can reduce repeat offenses and lower absenteeism.

3. Educate Students and Families

Many students underestimate the health risks of vaping. By integrating vaping education into health classes and parent communications, schools can promote awareness, prevention, and early intervention.

4. Track Vaping-Related Absences

Include vaping-related health and disciplinary incidents in attendance data tracking. Recognizing the scope of the problem allows for more targeted intervention and funding opportunities.

The Bottom Line

Vaping may feel like a private issue or a passing trend, but its ripple effects extend into classrooms, gradebooks, and futures. By understanding the connection between vaping and absenteeism, schools can take proactive steps to safeguard student health and academic success.

By The Zeptive Team

References:

Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education. (2016). Chronic Absenteeism in the Nation’s Schools. Retrieved from: https://ocrdata.ed.gov/
Goriounova NA, Mansvelder HD. (2012). Short- and Long-Term Consequences of Nicotine Exposure During Adolescence for Prefrontal Cortex Neuronal Network Function. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a012120
Morean ME, Kong G, Camenga DR, Krishnan-Sarin S. (2018). Psychosocial Functioning of Adolescents Who Use E-Cigarettes and Cannabis. Subst Use Misuse. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2018.1455701