Hundreds of Idaho school trustees want the Legislature to treat nicotine vapes and pouches like tobacco products — taxing them the same and letting schools use some of the revenue for health education.

Idaho’s cigarette and tobacco tax law dates to 1974 and doesn’t mention vapes. Last month, an Idaho School Boards Association resolution — overwhelmingly supported by trustees — urged lawmakers to modernize that statute and broaden the definition of tobacco products to include newer nicotine products.

Blaine County School District sponsored the resolution. Superintendent Jim Foudy says vaping is widespread among students: a recent survey at Wood River High School found 12% of students had used a vape in the past month.

“We really need to educate our kids,” Foudy said.

Since 2014, e-cigarettes and vapes have been the most commonly used nicotine delivery system among youth, surpassing cigarettes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

The resolution has two parts:
– Add vapes and nicotine pouches to the legal definition of tobacco products and apply the existing tobacco tax.
– Direct a portion of that revenue to public schools for vape education, mental health counselors and school resource officers.

Foudy said the proposal comes at a potentially opportune time as Idaho faces a budget shortfall.

“It would certainly benefit the state of Idaho if the Legislature and the governor are willing to approve the tax on all nicotine,” he said.

Under current state law, Idaho collects 57 cents per pack of 20 cigarettes and sends $3.3 million of that revenue to public schools for safety improvements and substance-abuse prevention through the Safe and Drug Free Schools program.

What vapes and pouches are E-cigarettes, or vapes, are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid and produce an aerosol. They come in many shapes and sizes and typically contain nicotine. Nicotine pouches contain a powder of nicotine, flavorings and other ingredients; the powder dissolves in the mouth and nicotine is absorbed through the gums and lining of the mouth. Nicotine is highly addictive and particularly dangerous for youth, young adults and pregnant women. (Source: CDC)

The ISBA resolution argues updating the tobacco-product definition to include vapes and pouches would align the law with the original purpose of the tobacco tax.

ISBA Deputy Director Quinn Perry said her team will pursue the issue in the next legislative session, which begins Jan. 12.

“This would be an additional revenue source to public schools by adding these areas, and we just feel a significant responsibility of making sure that we’re identifying those sources,” Perry said.

She acknowledged the optics lawmakers use matter — many dislike the phrase “new taxes” — but said the change is logical given the harm vapes are causing students.

“It just seems like a no-brainer to add these, especially knowing the dangers that they’re causing on students,” Perry said. “I hear routinely that school districts are disciplining even elementary-aged kids for using vapes at school.”

Calling youth vaping an epidemic is Jennie Sue Weltner, an Idaho Public Television executive producer who manages the “Know Vape” campaign. Using funds from the Idaho Millennium Fund — money from a settlement with tobacco companies over marketing to kids — she helped produce the documentary “Nic Sick: The Dangers of Youth Vaping.”

The film features stories from children who began vaping as early as age 9, supported by commentary from health, legal and counseling experts. Some students said they kept vapes under their pillows and used them through the night. The project found one in three Idaho kids have tried vapes and one in five are currently vaping.

“People would be blown away by the number of kids who are vaping,” Weltner said.

Working on the documentary made her angry at how quickly gains against teen cigarette use have been undermined by vape marketing aimed at young people.

“Yes, it is an epidemic,” Weltner said. “Kids are suffering and struggling with it, and so are teachers, and so are communities, and so are parents.”

Weltner noted that in a state where demand for youth mental-health care is high, it’s often easier for kids to obtain a vape than to see a counselor. Street dealers, called “plugs,” can deliver a vape in five minutes; getting mental-health care can take months.

She said reducing youth vaping requires three coordinated efforts: prevention, cessation and intervention at the grassroots level, while statewide awareness work continues. Idaho Public Television’s role has been to raise awareness about the risks.

“We’re going over the state with bombers saying, ‘Hey, this is a problem. This is an emergency. You need to be aware what this stuff is doing to your body and your kids’ bodies,’” Weltner said.

But policy change is the missing piece, she added. The ISBA resolution could be the nudge legislators need to act in 2026.

“I’m really excited and encouraged to hear that that might be happening,” Weltner said.

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This article was adapted from an original report published on idahoednews.org. All rights belong to the original publisher.