The Turlock Unified School District, like many other governmental bodies, has been dealing with the controversy over e-cigarettes, also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

The days of students puffing on smokes in the bathroom are over, as many rebellious youth are turning to e-cigs and sneaking a chief whenever and wherever possible. Unlike traditional cigarettes or tobacco products, e-cigs leave no signature cigarette smell when exhaled.

TUSD Superintendent Sonny Da Marto says punishments are already in place for students who try to out-smoke the system.

At Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting, the board received a brief informational session on the topic, which will be brought up for official vote later this year.

“We are adopting policy based on recommendations from the state. We’ve had consequences previously but now there is a policy behind it,” said Da Marto.

Recent revisions in TUSD policy include the ban of ENDS.

“Prohibited products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets, betel, and electronic delivery systems (ENDS), such as e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, and other vapor emitting devices,” the policy reads.

The use of ENDS among middle and high school has doubled since 2011-12, and so have reported incidents of use at Turlock Schools. Six incidents have occurred at Turlock Junior High School, 15 at Dutcher Middle School, 12 at Pitman High School, seven at Turlock High School, and one at Roselawn High School.