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Askthejudge.info features regular updates from the news, important decisions from the nation′s courts, and online discussions with Judge Tom. Find out everything you need to know about youth rights, juvenile law and juvenile justice. AsktheJudge – Empowering youth one question at a time.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is made available to the general public and is not intended to serve as legal advice.You should consult a trained legal professional in your area for questions you may have about the laws affecting juveniles or any legal interpretations.

Copyright, 2014
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September 5, 2007
Judge Tom
You and Your Body
3

Is it against the law to sniff glue or paint?

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When fourteen-year-old Randy tried to get high with his friends, he made the headlines: “Teen Dies After Sniffing ScotchGuard.” He lost consciousness while sniffing the fumes of a common household spray. Inhalant abuse causes approximately 100–125 deaths in the U.S. each year. 

  • A 2003 survey of high school seniors revealed that 4.5% had used inhalants in the last year.
  • 12% of the seniors admitted to having used inhalants in their lifetime.

Sources: Juvenile Offenders and Victims: A National Report, National Center for Juvenile Justice (2006)

Photo by Rogefer (Flickr)

Teenagers and kids are experimenting more and more with inhaling everything from glue to spray paint, gasoline, lighter fluid, paint thinner, and air fresheners. Other household products that contain breathable vapors include shoe polish, typewriter correction fluid, hair spray, and bug killers.

The vapors or fumes from these products starve the body of oxygen, which causes damage to the brain and nervous system and sometimes leads to death. Brain cells killed by sniffing substances can′t be replaced, and frequent users often undergo personality changes. 

“Brain on Drugs” by Deirdre1952 (Flickr)

States have laws against inhaling toxic vapors. If you′re caught sniffing, you may be locked up until counseling begins. Passing laws against the use or purchase of these products by minors is helping, but it hasn′t solved the problem.

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Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

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3 Comments

  • ashleigh
    December 11, 2014 6:22 am count( 0 )

    you should be out there grapping people smoking weed and cocaine because of that going round taking people sniffing glue and people am also getting murdered

  • ashleigh
    December 11, 2014 6:21 am count( 1 )

    why is sniffing glue bad
    Dear Ashleigh: Medical studies show that the chemicals in glue and other household products kill brain cells that don’t regenerate. In other words, once the damage is done, it can’t be repaired or reversed. Think twice before inhaling any non-medical substance.
    (This is information only – not legal advice).

  • Jenny
    April 3, 2011 10:17 pm count( 2 )

    Randy was my brother
    Dear Jenny: We’re so sorry for your loss. We hope to educate youth about the dangers of using toxic substances and to help prevent future tragedies from occurring.