Back in the early 1970s, one of the teenage anthems was “Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room,” a song about rebellion that reflected the times.

And if you weren’t one of those doing it, it’s a good bet you knew someone who did.

Though times have changed, teachers and principals are tasked with a new version of an old job.

Instead of the rustle of cellophane on a pack of Lucky Strikes and the distinctive ping of a Zippo or a flick of a Bic lighter, they’re dealing with a quiet puff that might leave a scent of mango or mint.

Today, vaping has replaced smoking for many teenagers, and it’s an issue that’s become so entrenched in schools that districts like Lehighton and Jim Thorpe are turning to technology and stricter search policies to snuff it out.

In Lehighton, they’re looking at installing a vape sensor in a high school restroom as a trial run. The device would link to the district’s security platform and can detect the trace of chemical vapors. It would alert staff when someone’s in the lavatory trying their best at stealth vaping.

Jim Thorpe, though, is taking a different approach, hoping to find vaping contraband before it gets used in the building.

Leaders there are drafting an updated search policy – their first in more than 20 years – that allows random inspections of lockers, buses and classrooms without singling out individual students. The problem there has already resulted in more than two dozen vapes being confiscated just this year.

The local efforts might be rolled into a larger effort playing out across the state.

Last fall, lawmakers rolled out Act 57, a first-ever attempt at regulating vaping products and restricting underage access.

The bipartisan measure requires vape manufacturers doing business in the commonwealth to register with the Attorney General’s office and certify their products are approved or being reviewed by the federal government.

Supporters like state Rep. Jeanne McNeill (D-Lehigh) say the new law will clear unregulated, illegal vapes from store shelves as it protects children from potentially addictive and hazardous products. The measure was backed by medical groups, convenience stores and law enforcement.

In theory, the law may be a win for parents, consumers and business owners.

But maybe not.

There’s no actual ban on any of the substances already on the store shelves. And as long as it’s pending review, a substance can stay there. With all the things the Food and Drug Administration is considering, there’s a huge loophole in the law.

Despite its good intentions, the law lacks sufficient enforcement measures. With only $1.3 million set aside to oversee the registry it created and the huge numbers of vape sales sites, the state will rely on manufacturers to self-certify when it comes to compliance.

And many say that money might be better spent on education rather than maintaining a list.

State data show that roughly one in four high school seniors has tried vaping. Some of those kids are taking in nicotine levels equal to or more than a pack of cigarettes daily, and some have THC, too.

To combat that, the local districts are doing what they can.

Sensors and searches may help slow the problem, especially if consequences of getting caught are clear. They won’t, however, solve what the Centers for Disease Control has labeled a pandemic fueled by addiction, peer pressure and a slick marketing campaign.

Is it fair to have local principals and teachers already strapped with doing their jobs in an underfunded environment do the enforcing?

There’s already a shortage of enforcement at the state and federal levels, so – unfortunately – the task trickles down to hall monitors and school nurses.

Act 57 is certainly a step in the right direction as it shows the state is at least interested in reining in a largely unchecked industry, but it’s not enough.

Lawmakers need to follow up with a message that local teachers and principals are already doing their best to spread: accountability.

Whether its more funding for enforcement, closing the loopholes on products that are pending review, lawmakers need to step up.

The front lines of this issue are in the lavatories and classrooms in places like Lehighton and Jim Thorpe.

The question here is whether Harrisburg will be able to face up to the realities seen in our schools every day.

Or will they just choose to blow smoke?

ED SOCHA |

tneditor@tnonline.com

Ed Socha is a retired newspaper editor with more than 45 years’ experience in community journalism.