Assistant Principal News

Vaping- information for parents and students

Dear Parents, carers, and students,

Recent Australian surveys show that the use of e-cigarettes, (more commonly known as “vaping”) by young people, has increased. All members of the community including our school, play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects of smoking and using vapes.

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

The Department of Education and Training has collated resources to help you learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping, and provide some suggestions about how to talk to your child about vaping, and where to get support. This includes a video from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne with tips for parents for starting a conversation with teenagers about vaping.

Department Policy

The Department of Education has established policies in place to support public health objectives and ensure there is no smoking or use of e-cigarettes (vapes) on school premises (buildings and grounds), within 4 metres of school entrances or at school sanctioned events held off-premises.

Staff on yard duty will regularly check student bathrooms to ensure that the space is safe. We also encourage students to let their year level coordinator know (sending an email to them is fine) if they see students smoking or vaping in the toilets. If a yard duty teacher is nearby, please let them know. It is disappointing to note that a number of students have received school-based sanctions this year for breaking this department policy. We will continue to ensure that our College is a safe space by holding to account, students who fail to adhere to our school rules.

A summary of the department policy is outlined below, along with some useful resources for parents to discuss with their children that are attached to this post.  If parents, carers or students have any questions or concerns about the policy, please make contact with the relevant year level coordinator.

Summary

• In Victoria, a person must not smoke or use e-cigarettes on school premises or within 4 metres of any pedestrian access point to school premises
• Inhaling vapour from an e-cigarette is known as ‘vaping’. When using an e-cigarette, the user inhales and exhales the vapour, which can look similar to smoking a cigarette. The prohibition on smoking includes the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) and applies whether or not the e-cigarette contains nicotine
• Cigarettes and e-cigarettes cannot be sold to people under 18 years of age
• It is a legislative requirement that schools display suitable ‘No Smoking’ signs at all pedestrian access points (entrances) to the school grounds. The legislation defines smoking to include the use of an e-cigarette
• In Victoria, a person must not smoke in a motor vehicle if a person under 18 years is also present in the motor vehicle
• Smoking and vaping are also not permitted during school events and excursions held off school premises
• It is illegal to sell, barter or exchange any type of tobacco or e-cigarette product to a person under 18 years of age

Read the policy at www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/smoking-vaping-ban

For more information:

https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/E-cigarettes_and_teens/

https://adf.org.au/talking-about-drugs/parenting/vaping-youth/talking-about-vaping/

https://lungfoundation.com.au/lung-health/protecting-your-lungs/e-cigarettes-and-vaping/  

Cameron Campbell

Assistant Principal