Increase in youth vaping ‘dramatic,’ police say
Presentations to students starting in fall part of campaign to curb nicotine use
The Edmonton Police Service is teaming up with the University of Alberta’s faculty of nursing to combat the “dramatic” rise of vaping in local schools.
Victoria School of the Arts school resource officer Const. Bryan Alm said Tuesday that peer pressure and a lack of education are among contributing factors to an increase in youth nicotine use — a trend that expands beyond vaping.
“Nicotine use is up for the first time in several decades. We’re now seeing students transition from vaping to smoking and the rate of smoking is actually up among youth,” Alm said during at a news conference at Edmonton police headquarters.
Vaping involves inhaling the vapour of nicotine juice through e-cigarettes or a similar device. These vapours are usually flavoured, despite legislation restricting the sale of such products. Under the Tobacco and Smoking Reduction Act, it is illegal to sell nicotine to minors and to display or advertise any nicotine products.
In order to enforce these regulations, Edmonton police officers will visit vape retailers this summer to issue compliance letters. Businesses found to be violating the act will be issued a warning letter. A first offence after a warning could carry a fine of up to $10,000 and a subsequent offence could cost businesses up to $100,000.
“The legislation is there. We just need to enforce it,” Alm said.
A main focus of the collaboration between Edmonton police and the U of A will involve presentations given to Edmonton students starting this fall.
“There’s this perception that vaping is just this harmless vapour … the flavours, the tastes, they appeal to youth,” said Kerry Rusk, the education campaign’s team lead and a faculty lecturer at the U of A. “This is a dangerous substance. It’s not well-researched and we don’t fully know the long-term consequences of it now.” The school presentations will be given in part by U of A faculty of nursing students.
Statistics Canada said that 23 per cent of high school students across the country have tried a vaping product, with youth and young adults aged 15–24 reporting the highest rates of vaping.