VAPING ON BUSES

CDC Mildura is experiencing an increase in students in the Sunraysia district vaping (the use of e-cigarettes) on board the school buses, particularly of an afternoon.

The use of e-cigarettes on public transport vehicles is prohibited under the Passenger Transport (General) Regulation 2017 (NSW) and the Transport (Passenger Vehicles) Regulations 2005 Victoria.

Nationally it has been a challenge to disengage students from vaping however, it now raises a separate issue where it is occurring on board buses to which it is prohibited.

If any student is reported and confirmed to be involved in the use of an e-cigarette on board a CDC Mildura bus, it is deemed as unacceptable behaviour and a written warning will be issued immediately.

Any further instances of the use of an e-cigarette will impose the below penalties:

CATEGORY OF BEHAVIOUR	TYPE OF OFFENCE	PENALTY
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR	First Offence	Warning (no penalty)
	Second Offence	Up to two (2) weeks suspension
	Subsequent Offences	Up to 10 weeks suspension (permanent suspension may apply for further offences)

Not only is vaping prohibited on board public transport, it may be harmful and potentially hazardous to other passengers due to second-hand vapour.

CDC Mildura is taking this issue seriously and has an obligation to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers and drivers.

We hope you take this warning seriously and that we will not need to take any further action.

Ashlee Loveridge

Service Delivery Manager Mildura & Broken Hill