A conference about the effects of vaping was held at West Springfield High School Friday afternoon.

The conference because of the dramatic increase in vaping, Juuling, and marijuana use among youth. However, instructors at the conference said parents should be educated on vaping as well.

New products and technology make it difficult to detect vaping in schools and what substances are being vaped.

Friday’s conference was held by the Western Mass School Substance Abuse Counselors’ Association.

The conference discussed vaping trends, health risks, and steps schools and parents can take to address and vaping among students.

Students, teachers, and administrators from high schools across western Massachusetts attended Friday’s conference.

One West Springfield High School junior told 22News not all parents may know their son or daughter is vaping.

“The Juuls look like flash drives and parents may think it’s actually a flash drive but turns out a kid will be vaping in their bedroom and have no idea,” said Devin Svec. 

The conference discussed the common ways teens tend to hide Juuls and other vaping devices. Teens tend to hide them in their sweaters and pillows from their parents

According to the FDA, vaping delivers nicotine to the brain in as little as ten seconds. Teen’s brains are still developing making them more vulnerable to nicotine addiction.