By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Now that school’s out for the summer in most Central Illinois communities, McLean County health officials want to educate parents about something their children might experiment with in their down time – e-cigarettes.

But teenagers who use e-cigarettes don’t use that term. County Health Department Director Camille Rodriguez told WJBC’s Sam Wood kids call it vaping or jeweling, while the e-cigarettes themselves often looks like pens, flash drives and other harmless accessories. so parents not paying attention might have no idea their kids are engaging in this harmful habit.

“I’ve heard anecdotal stories of young people bringing these products into the classroom and vaping right there in front of their teachers without anyone even knowing it,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez added she worries idle time can be dangerous for kids.

“With school almost out and summer starting, our young people have more free time and less adult supervision,” Rodriguez said. “That can be exciting for young people, but it might also give rise to experimentation of tobacco and other nicotine products.”

Rodriguez said she’s also concerned that e-cigarettes are marketed to young people with flavors like cotton candy and gummy bears to make people think they are safe for kids.

She said she’s encouraged by an Illinois Youth Survey in 2016 which shows three in 10 12th graders have never tried vaping. The survey reported 94 percent of eighth graders said they have never used e-cigarettes.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].