Message from 

the Principal

Vaping – a global challenge for schools

The usage of e-cigarettes has seen an alarming increase in popularity in recent years and I have no doubt many of you may have seen these concerns expressed in the media. A very disturbing factor in what is now a global problem is the extent that ‘Vaping’ (the slang term for the use of e-cigarettes) is being embraced by secondary school students. The Food and Drug Administration in the United States recently designated the problem in secondary schools as an ‘epidemic’. 

We are certainly experiencing considerable problems with students vaping in Australian schools which has led to some of the recent media attention. Last week a child as young as five was admitted to a Melbourne hospital with breathing difficulties and some Sydney Principals have been considering locking bathrooms in an attempt to prevent students from vaping. The issue of vaping is certainly worrying many of my fellow Independent School Heads. 

Vaping is not 'safe'

Of particular concern is the clever marketing that has misled some parents and children into believing that vaping is safe. It would be fair to say that many are unaware of this new epidemic confronting our schools and the nature of it can go easily undetected by parents who may not know that their child could be engaging in this activity. 

The harmful effects of vaping are frequently not known by young people and recent data from the Cancer Council reveals that 20% of students aged 16-17 are experimenting with e-cigarettes.

So what is vaping?

As previously noted vaping is the slang term for e-cigarettes. They are battery powered devices that heat (often flavour infused) liquids into an aerosol that may subsequently be inhaled. Nicotine, glycerine, nickel, tin, lead and benzene are just a few of the potentially dangerous chemicals found in this liquid.

How can Parents/Carers help?

Your role as a parent is critical if we are to be successful in confronting this increasing challenge in our schools. Please take time to ensure that you and your children are having conversations about the dangers of vaping and about making positive decisions. I have included below some information for you from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia designed specifically to assist parents. We at School will continue to educate our students about the health issues associated with vaping and good decision making. 

Vaping will not be tolerated at Kinross Wolaroi School. Students who vape at School or who are in possession of vaping equipment face suspension and repeated usage and the supply of vapes to others will place a student’s position in the School in jeopardy.

Whilst we will remain vigilant on the School grounds studies reveal that most forms of vaping are very difficult to detect. The solution to this problem is found in educating your children about the dangers of vaping and, as parents and carers, working closely with the School to discourage students from engaging in the practice.

I am most grateful for your support as we confront this increasing challenge together.

Vaping Resources for Parents

Most of the websites and online resources that are available on the topic of e-cigarettes and vaping provide some basic information for parents. There are also many online articles, opinion pieces and blogs that examine the issue. Below are a few useful links:

Get Your Head Out of The Cloud

A campaign from the American Lung Foundation that aims to educate parents about the prevalence of teen vaping and equip them to talk to their kids about it. One of the best features of this site is the Conversation Guide. This provides some really useful tips and suggestions that may assist parents in having a conversation around vaping. (lung.org/quit-smoking/helping-teens-quit/talk-about-vaping)

Flavours Hook Kids

A parent resource developed by the California’s Tobacco Control Program that has developed some powerful campaign materials around Big Tobacco and how it uses flavours to target young people. It has a big focus on ways to talk to your kids about vaping and how to get help if they want to quit. (flavorshookkids.org)

Make Smoking History 

Another US resource, with this one examining “the new look of nicotine addiction”, this site has a dedicated section for parents that provides a link to a number of fact sheets on how to talk to your child about vaping, as well as other material. (makesmokinghistory.org/dangers-of-vaping) 

Downloadable Fact Sheets for Parents 

There are few Australian resources available around vaping but much of the information provided in the downloadable fact sheets listed here that have been developed overseas, the majority in the US, could be useful to parents. 

Talking About Vaping With Young People: 

This is one of the few Australian fact sheets available and has been written by the ADF. It’s just a simple one-pager about how best to have a conversation around vaping (or any drug for that matter) and it also provides a link to some basic information on vaping products. (cdn.adf.org.au/media/documents/Talking_about_vaping_with_young_people.pdf)

Talking With Your Teen About Vaping

A downloadable fact sheet from Health Canada that provides basic information about vaping for parents, emphasising that before you talk to your teen you should know the facts. (canada.ca/ en/services/health/publications/healthy-living/talking-teen-vaping-tip-sheet-parents.html) 

Talk With Your Teen About E-cigarettes: A Tip Sheet for Parents 

An American resource that covers all the bases – information on vaping, how to start the conversation and answers to some of the questions that may be asked. (e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipSheet_508.pdf)

E-cigarettes and Youth: What Parents Need to Know 

A really basic information sheet for parents on vaping developed by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. (cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/pdfs/OSH-E-Cigarettes-and-YouthWhat-Parents-Need-to-Know-508.pdf)

Vaping: What Families Need to Know to Help Protect Children, Teens and Young Adults 

Quite a comprehensive document that covers everything from cannabis vaping to EVALI (a lung injury that led to the hospitalisations and deaths of a number of vapers in the US in 2019). (drugfree.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/What-You-Need-to-Know-and-How-to-Talk-toYour-Kids-About-Vaping-Guide-Partnership-for-Drug-Free-Kids.pdf)

Talking With Your Teen About Vaping: Keeping Your Kids Safe 

A simple two-pager that provides some basic information about vaping and then suggestions on how to talk to your teens about the issue. (samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/TTHY-Vaping-Broch-2020.pdf)

How To Talk to Your Kids About Vaping: 

A simple and useful fact sheet from the American Lung Foundation that provides some basic information and then useful conversation starters for parents when dealing with vaping. (lung.org/getmedia/302f26c0-d4b1-451f-a05a-092a93183b6c/vape-conversationguide.pdf)

Congratulations

Katie Tink awarded teach.Rural Scholarship

I am delighted to inform you that Katie Tink of the Class of 2021 has been awarded a teach.Rural Scholarship.  teach.Rural Scholarships are a NSW Government initiative that provides financial support whilst studying for a teaching degree. 

Katie has been in touch with us to share her excitement about receiving this scholarship and looks forward to teaching in a rural town after she completes her degree in Primary Teaching.