Student Support
Pip, Rhona and Leah
World No Tobacco Day
Sunday 31st May is the World Health Organisation’s World No Tobacco Day
This year’s campaign “unmasking the appeal – countering nicotine and tobacco addiction” will expose how the tobacco and nicotine industry continues to reinvent and repackage its products to hook a new generation, particularly children and adolescents, while evading stronger tobacco control measures worldwide.
While it’s encouraging to see a downward trend in young people smoking, research suggests the popularity of vaping is on the rise in young Victorians. While some perceive vaping as less harmful than smoking, the full health implications of vaping are not yet fully known. Vaping can still be addictive, fill your body with harmful nicotine and chemicals, and cause damage to your lungs.
How do I know if my child is vaping?
The easiest way to detect e-cigarette use is if there is an unexpected smell in the air from e-cigarette flavouring. Teens tend to use fruit or sweet flavours, so this scent is usually sweet. Some youth use large amounts of spray on deodorant to mask the smell of vaping. Additionally, if your child is irritable after 45-60 minutes of being in a situation where they cannot vape, they might be exhibiting signs of nicotine addiction.
Ideally, start the conversation early to prepare the young person for possible exposure to opportunities to vape or situations where their peers may be vaping.
Be curious, ask: “What do you know about vaping?” or “What do you think about vaping?”. Listen to the answers. You may be surprised by how much your young person already knows. Thank them for sharing their perspective.
Share how you feel about the behaviour in a simple open way – “When people vape, I worry about their health. I would like to help you work out what to do if someone offered you a vape.”
Visit Quitline, chat to one of their advisors (13 78 48) or speak to your GP for support. Leah, our school nurse is also available to have 1:1 harm minimisation conversations, to further discuss the harmful effects of vaping if you may be worried about your child.
