Teen culture has always embraced fads, but the culture of vaping is one health groups are hoping will get left behind.

Despite the discreet look of most devices, including e-cigarettes and vaping pens, students continue to get caught vaping in school or on the bus.

"The traditional cigarettes, when they would try to sneak in the bathroom, people could smell it,” said Laurie Reynolds, associate director of the Chautauqua Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council (CASAC) in Jamestown. “Where vaping products, you can conceal that smell a lot more. So, that's where it's kinda scary because they can get away with a lot more because you don't smell it as much"

That also makes it easier to conceal a device, said Breeanne Agett, Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services’ epidemiology manager.

"It's easy for kids to hide,” she said. “Clip it to their hoodie, and then take a hit while the teacher isn’t watching, and then blow the smoke down their sleeve.”

The Chautauqua County Health Department has partnered with CASCA and others to review all 18 school districts.

Because of the rise in referrals to CASAC, the group looks to help school districts revise tobacco policies, complete with disciplinary action, and develop education tool kits for the community.

“What are these products, why are they dangerous and what is the right way to respond,” Agett said. “These e-cigarettes have high levels of nicotine and nicotine is very addictive which we know affects brain development.”

"That's the alarming piece,” Reynolds added. “We see those teenagers one-on-one to provide education and let them know this isn't a safe alternative."

The Food and Drug Administration this week said it wanted to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, plus restrict e-cig sales.   

Both Reynolds and Agett say that may impact convenience stores, more so than vape shops. 

"I think it's a really big step,” Reynolds said. “Doesn't solve it, but it's definitely is on the right path."

 “This could be huge,” Agett agreed. “I would say it’s maybe not enough. So anything we can do to restrict the flavors is going to be great.”

A number of questions about the issue are being added to CASAC’s annual survey for  8th, 10th and 12th graders in the coming weeks.