Vaping

The number of young people ‘vaping’ (the consumption of e-cigarettes) is very concerning. 

As an older person who has watched the declining use of tobacco in Australia with great satisfaction, the rise of ‘vaping’, is both mystifying and concerning. So much ground has been made in improving community health in this regard, both through legislation and laws, and through changes in community attitudes.  The rising numbers of (almost all young) e-cigarette users risks the future health or our young people, and I feel more education around the risks of vaping is needed.

Vaping is considered by many young people to be harmless and a good and healthier alternative to cigarette smoking. As you will read below, these are both fallacies. Almost as concerning is that ‘vaping’ is also re-normalising smoking as a habit with young people at a time when so much progress has been made in this area in our country.

From a school rules perspective, we will not tolerate either ‘vaping’ at, to or from school, or at any time in school uniform. The sale from student to student of ‘vaping’ or other smoking materials is absolutely unacceptable, and also illegal. Students will be liable for a range of sanctions, up to and including suspension from school, if they possess, smoke, consume, or deal in tobacco or e-cigarettes at school, during any school activities, or in school uniform outside school. In the case of the same for any prohibited and/or illegal drugs, sanctions may include up to expulsion.

The use of e-cigarettes is on the rise, particularly among high school students, and, given that the use of these devices is a relatively new phenomenon, we felt it important to provide students and parents with some relevant background information. As this is a new phenomenon, long-term health effects are not yet available, but early signs are not at all positive for users.