In almost any recent survey taken regarding the use of smokeless tobacco among the general population, the results are the same. In almost every age demographic, the use of smokeless tobacco is going down. However one group that seems to be resistant to that trend.

According to the Center for Disease Control , the use of tobacco among high school boys has gone up to 15 percent from the 11 percent in 2003. In a study by the University of Michigan known as the Monitoring the Future Study, the use of dip has increased among daily, one time, and occasional users for 8th, 10th and 12th graders has increased in every category but one.

While smokeless tobacco experts have reached a consensus that the drug’s use is increasing in high schools, the community at North is far from reaching that, or any other, conclusion.

“From our perspective were not seeing it as a huge issue,” Dean of Students Andrew Downs said. “Obviously whenever we see it, we take it very seriously.”

So far this year, there have been only three incidences of student being caught with smokeless tobacco that have been reported to the main office. However, many feel that more students are using the drug, but are justnot getting caught.

“There are feinitely more than four kids at our school who dip,” senior Brittany Burke said. “It’s a problem, it shouldn’t be happening.”

In his four years at North, science teacher Matt Riffee has caught seven students dipping in class. In the first semester this year, he has caught three.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” science teacher Matt Riffee said. “I think some teachers don’t know it’s going on, but I guess it’s considered the cool thing to do [for high school kids].”

Although many look down on students dipping, some think that its use in high school is just a teen-related phase.

“I would say that a lot of people just try it but they don’t stick with it,” senior Nick
Ganousis said. “A lot of guys will do it for a couple of months, but they don’t make it a
lifelong habit.”

Logan Ponche