Campaign launched to warn of vaping dangers


The campaign, which highlights the harmful substances found in vapes including nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray, will be rolled out across all government high schools, including R-12 schools.

A letter from South Australia’s Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier will also be sent to parents and carers warning about the dangers of vaping, in a bid to curb the increase of the habit among young people.

Image from the vaping campaign warning people about the dangers of e-cigarettes

Latest data from Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia shows a significant increase in vape use, with 7.8 per cent of 15 to 29 year olds using e-cigarettes on a daily, weekly or less than weekly basis, up from 1.1 per cent in 2017.

Professor Spurrier said the campaign would give parents, carers and students the facts about vaping and the risks that come with it.

“Importantly, we want to ensure families have access to resources to help them support their child to stop using vapes,” Professor Spurrier said.

“We know that the nicotine in one vape can be equal to 50 cigarettes or higher.

“Nicotine is highly addictive and children with a nicotine dependency may have difficulties concentrating in class, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, frustration, anger and strong cravings to relieve symptoms with repeat nicotine exposure.”

Professor Spurrier said there had been an increase in parents calling the Poisons Information line after finding young children had inhaled or ingested nicotine from e-cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, often called ‘vapes’, are electronic devices designed to deliver vapourised liquids into the lungs.

As part of the campaign, being delivered by SA Health and the Department for Education, the schools will receive copies of fact sheets for students, parents and families, as well as vaping danger posters to display around campuses.

The materials will also be made available to Catholic and independent schools across the state.

Training in how to respond to student vaping will also be provided to school staff.

Brighton Secondary School Principal Tony Lunniss said the school had a strong focus on vaping-specific education as part of its overall drug eradication program.

“We run age-appropriate sessions for all our students about the dangers of vaping, both within our pastoral care program and through organising for health promotion groups to visit the school,” Mr Lunniss said.

“It is important that we take all opportunities to provide information and education to young people as part of our focus on wellbeing, to encourage them not to start vaping and, if they are vaping, to support them to quit.”

This month the Federal Government announced a ban on the importation of nonprescription vaping products, including those that do not contain nicotine. It will also introduce minimum quality standards for vapes while restricting flavours, colours and other ingredients. All single-use, disposable vapes will also be banned.

Last November, the State Government introduced the Vaping Action Plan into public schools to update the health curriculum to teach children about the impacts of e-cigarettes and deliver educational programs.

It is illegal in Australia for people aged under the age of 18 to buy vaping devices or to promote, market or sell e-cigarettes to people aged under the age of 18.

To get the evidence and facts about vaping, visit SA Health.

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