Health & Wellbeing 

SMOKING AND VAPING NEWS

Parents, carers, schools, and community all play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects smoking and vaping.

Research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows many parents and carers are not aware of the harmful effects or how their views about smoking and vaping can impact the likelihood of a young person taking up smoking or vaping.

The Department of Education and Training has developed resources to help you learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping, and some suggestions about how to talk to children and young people about vaping, and where to get support. To access the resources, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents

You can also view this video on smoking and vaping from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.

Vaping has become more common in recent times in all secondary schools. Some information that you can include in your discussion with your child/teen about vaping is

• Vapes and cigarettes both contain nicotine, and both deliver chemicals into your lungs.
• Vapes are currently not regulated (as tobacco cigarettes are), this means that even though they maybe labelled NO NICOTINE, they still may contain nicotine.
• Nicotine is ADDICTIVE and can have a negative effect on the developing teenage brain.
• Tobacco companies are the main producers of vapes.
• Vapes are promoted as having confectionary type flavours, e.g., melon, berries. This creates a lollypop illusion to teens that vaping is not as bad as cigarettes.
• Many vapes contain higher levels of nicotine than standard tobacco, therefore teens can be smoking the equivalent of several packs of cigarettes a day. 
• Health effects are irritation of the mouth and the lungs, this may cause coughing and shortness of breath. High levels of nicotine can also cause nausea, vomiting and heart palpitations.
• There is growing research evidence that vaping may cause mouth cancers and lung injuries. 

What to do if your young person is vaping and finds it difficult to stop

• Educate yourself about e-cigarettes Kids Health Information : E-cigarettes and teens (rch.org.au)
• Talk with your child about risky behaviours including e-cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. Also parents and carers can lead by example by not using e-cigarettes when children are around.
• See your family doctor with your child
• The Victorian Poisons Information Line: 13 11 26 has information on what to do if someone is suffering from nicotine poisoning
•  Quitline also has resources for your perusal E-cigarettes and young people: what you need to know (quit.org.au)

Smoking by adults or students is not permitted on our school grounds. Please see our Smoke Free School Policy on our school website for information about consequences smoke_free_school_policy_sept_2018.pdf (greensc.vic.edu.au)