Student vapers on the rise

Cancer Society survey of schools shows kids as young as 10 are vaping

Schools in Auckland and Northland are registering rising numbers of students vaping during school time, survey results show. The Cancer Society, which organised the survey, says children as young as 10 are vaping.

Half of the 320 primary and secondary schools that responded to the survey have reported vaping students at their schools.

Eight per cent of primary schools said there had been incidents with pupils using vaping devices.

Several schools highlighted that children and some parents see vaping as “safe” rather than a “less harmful” option than smoking cigarettes and it’s being picked up by kids who have never previously smoked.

Rebecca Gilbert, Cancer Society Northland health promoter, says vaporisers were popular because they are cheaper than cigarettes, small and easy to use.

“There’s a noticeable glamorisation of vaping which makes it increasingly attractive for young people,” Gilbert said.

“A lot of students said they wouldn’t smoke but vape because vaporisers don’t have nicotine flavours, so it doesn’t concern them.”

Schools across all decile ratings are affected, but higher decile schools report slightly more vaping students than lower decile schools. Since the survey was conducted anonymously, it is not known which schools are affected.

Of Northland schools approached by media, only Whanga¯rei Girls’ High and Tauraroa Area schools reported “a few incidents” — but they didn’t regard vaping as a pressing issue.

Grant Burns, Tauraroa principal, says the school had one incident last year and then a few weeks ago senior students were caught vaping. “We are aware of the fact that teenagers like to experiment.

“We’re taking a hard line on this; smoking, vaping and drinking in our school and school buses are not acceptable.”

Burns said most students didn’t tolerate smoking or vaping and would report offenders to the staff.

Whanga¯rei Girls’ follows a similar zero-tolerance policy, with vaping regarded as illegal substance abuse.

“We’ve had some incidents at the school, but it’s hard to hide vaping because of the thick smoke it produces,” principal Anne Cooper said.

She didn’t describe vaping as a widespread issue at the school so far.

But an anonymous Whanga¯rei high school described vaping as a frequent problem. “Boys in Year 9 are vaping. Many parents support [it],” it said in the survey report. “It is a huge issue and hard to manage due to the discreet nature of many devices.”

An anonymous Kaipara primary school is not aware of pupils vaping at school, but they “have students who have been seen vaping in the community and have let their parents know of this”, the report stated.

“It is a concern that some as young as 10 are vaping.”

A Far North intermediate’s statement said: “At least two of my senior students (12-year olds) have been seen vaping outside of school. When I asked one . . . about it, he said Mum knew and said it was okay for him to do this.”

The Ministry of Health is working towards improving vaping rules by changing the Smoke-free Environments Act change. Jane Chambers, the ministry’s manager for tobacco control, says vaping products were intended for smokers only, and primarily to assist them to quit. “Non-smokers, particularly young nonsmokers, should be strongly discouraged from vaping,” Chambers said. The proposed changes in vaping rules would see similar provisions as apply to tobacco products. “This will include a prohibition on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of vaping products and smokeless tobacco devices.” They would prohibit flavours and colours that attract young people. It’s expected to be introduced into the house later this year.

The Cancer Society criticises the easy access minors have to vaping product through online sales. “We want the Government to reduce access to under-18-year olds,” Gilbert said.