The Effect Of Binge Drinking and Vaping on Secondary School Student Academy Performance

The term “Binge Drinking” refers to consuming a significant amount of alcohol quickly, usually in less than two hours. A Person who engages in binge drinking when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 grams or above, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). This usually happens when males have consumed five drinks or more and also the females have consumed four drinks or more in a two-hour period. Particularly for teens, whose brains are still growing, binge drinking is a risky pastime. Heavy alcohol use can affect one’s ability to think clearly, increase the likelihood of accidents, and cause a number of health issues, such as liver disease, heart disease, and cancer. A lifetime alcohol dependency can result from binge drinking.

The usage of electronic cigarettes (also known as E -cigarettes) or other vaping apparatus is referred to as vaping. E-juice or vape juice, which contains nicotine, flavorings, and other substances, is heated in these devices before being inhaled by the user as vapor. Although vaping is frequently promoted as a healthier alternative to smoking, its long-term health implications are still little known.

Due to the fact that their brains are still growing, teenagers are especially susceptible to the negative consequences of vaping. Teenagers who are exposed to nicotine during adolescence are more likely to develop addictions to nicotine and other drugs. Additionally linked to lung damage and other health issues, vaping.

Concerns regarding the frequency of vaping among youngsters have grown in recent years. More than 20% of high school students in the United States reported smoking e-cigarettes in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Calls for stronger regulation of the vaping business have been made as a result, particularly in relation to marketing and sales of flavored e-juices that could appeal to young people.

The Effect of Binge Drinking and Vaping on student Academic Performance.

Two prevalent activities that might have a detrimental impact on secondary school students’ academic performance are binge drinking and vaping. While some children might see these activities as innocent or even as a strategy to blend in, research demonstrates that they can result in a variety of issues that might have a detrimental effect on academic progress.

When students binge drink, which is described as taking a lot of alcohol quickly, their cognitive function and memory may suffer, making it more difficult for them to learn and remember new material. In fact, a National Institutes of Health research discovered that binge drinking throughout adolescence can harm the brain over time and affect academic performance.

Academic performance can be negatively impacted by vaping, which includes inhaling nicotine and other substances through an electronic cigarette or other vaping equipment. Due to its high potential for addiction, nicotine has the potential to harm cognitive function, making it more challenging for students to focus and study. Vaping can also cause respiratory issues that might hinder physical exercise (participating in Physical Education), which is crucial for academic performance. Even while it is obvious how excessive drinking and vaping affect academic performance, many students might not be aware of these dangers.

Health education programs may be very helpful in informing students about the risks associated with these habits and empowering them to make wise decisions. For instance, a research that appeared in the Journal of School Health revealed that a program to prevent substance abuse at schools was successful in lowering risky behaviors like binge drinking among high school students.

Finally, excessive drinking and vaping may have a harmful impact on adolescents in secondary school. Students may find it more challenging to perform better in their academic pursuit   in other to acquired their desirable results due to  these habits, which can affect cognitive function and memory. Health education programs is the key way to help overturn students behaviour by providing helpful formation to students about the dangers associated with these actions and assisting them in making decisions that will support their academic performance.

In conclusion, teens who engage in hazardous activities like binge drinking or vaping run the chance of experiencing severe negative outcomes. Working together, parents, educators, and healthcare experts can inform kids about the dangers of these activities and encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Additionally, it is crucial that politicians act to regulate these sectors and reduce access to this harmful substance.

Article by Ezebor Ogbe Godstime

HPE  Studies Teacher

Canadian Bridge Academy Abuja