FILE - In this April 11, 2018, file photo, a high school student uses a vaping device near a school campus in Cambridge, Mass. Schools have been wrestling with how to balance discipline with treatment in their response to the soaring numbers of vaping students. Using e-cigarettes, often called vaping, has now overtaken smoking traditional cigarettes in popularity among students, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last year, one in five U.S. high school students reported vaping the previous month, according to a CDC survey. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
FILE - In this April 11, 2018, file photo, a high school student uses a vaping device near a school campus in Cambridge, Mass. Schools have been wrestling with how to balance discipline with treatment in their response to the soaring numbers of vaping students. Using e-cigarettes, often called vaping, has now overtaken smoking traditional cigarettes in popularity among students, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last year, one in five U.S. high school students reported vaping the previous month, according to a CDC survey. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) Credit: Steven Senne

In an effort to cut down on the number of teenagers using tobacco products, Hopkinton’s top school administrator is asking the town officials to support raising the age limit to purchase tobacco and vapor products in town from 18 to 21.

Steven Chamberlin, superintendent of the Hopkinton School District, told school board members earlier this month that a survey of Hopkinton High School students found 27% have used an e-cigarette, but he and other administrators believe the number is higher.

The district has tried to combat the issue by bringing in lung health experts to educate students on the risks of smoking and vaping, but Chamberlin said nicotine products such as the Juul continue to be present in Hopkinton’s hallways.

He said a sixth-grader was found carrying a Juul earlier this year, as was a Maple Street Elementary School student.

“I’m concerned about the prevalence of these devices and the long-term impacts it can have on students’ health,” he said. “If we can make it harder to get these and help a few kids, it’s worth it.”

Town Administrator Neal Cass said state law allows municipalities to implement stricter rules around the sale and possession of nicotine products. An ordinance to raise the minimum age to 21 would require a vote at town meeting.

Last summer, Dover became the first city in New Hampshire to raise the age to 21. In December, Keene passed a similar ordinance restricting nicotine sales to 21-plus consumers. Earlier this month, city officials in Nashua narrowly struck down a proposal to raise the age from 18 to 21.

An effort to raise the age to 21 across New Hampshire popped up in the state Senate this year. The bill was sent back to the Senate Commerce Committee in March and could be revisited by the end of the year.

In Hopkinton, the select board began a preliminary discussion on the issue this month on how an ordinance would be implemented and enforced.

Tobacco laws are enforced by the state Liquor Commission, but that duty would likely fall to local police if Hopkinton enacts an ordinance to raise the age.

“Enforcement is a concern that needs to be worked out,” Cass said. “Any further discussion will include (Hopkinton police) Chief (Stephen) Pecora.”

Chamberlin plans to meet with the select board on the topic after the school year ends.

“This is not special to Hopkinton, this is going on everywhere,” Chamberlin said. “I’m not blaming anyone – not parents, not store owners. We just want to do something about it.”

(Nick Stoico can be reached at 369-3321, nstoico@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @NickStoico.)