In early May, the Federal Government announced a ban on the importation of nicotine and non-nicotine products used for recreational purposes. The products will still be allowed for pharmacies.
The habit of vaping has skyrocketed among students in recent years. Students (and even parents) often believe they are indulging in a habit that is relatively safe, but studies have shown vaping is dangerous.
The take-up of vaping by young people is increasing. Research shows that one in five young people have vaped and nearly 80 per cent of them say it is easy to get a vape illegally at a shop or online.
In a recent survey, 64 per cent of teachers reported being aware of the sale of vapes at school. (Source: NSW Department of Health website).
A recent study by Curtin University researchers revealed potentially toxic substances in e-liquids or vape juice.
The study tested the chemicals and toxicity of 52 flavoured vape e-liquids available for sale over the counter in Australia and found that 100 per cent of the products were inaccurately labelled and contained chemicals with unknown effects on respiratory health.
Almost a third of the products also contained chemicals that are likely to be toxic if inhaled repeatedly, while 21 per cent contained nicotine, despite the substance being banned in the country.
The chemicals found in these e-liquids were known to cause respiratory disorders, including severe irritation when inhaled,and contribute to the development oflung cancer.
“With the unregulated, untested, and unknown nature of the vape industry, we knew the research into the chemicals and toxicity of e-liquids would uncover strong findings, but we never expected such alarming results,” Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke said.
IEU NSW/ACT Branch member Bruce Paine said vaping was the new menace impacting students and teachers.
“Many schools are encountering similar issues: the sweet smell of raspberry, bubblegum or vanilla wafting from toilets and shrubbery,” Paine said.
“Students asking to ‘duck out’ to the toilet during lessons, groups of students huddling suspiciously and students in empty classrooms at lunch and recess,” he said.
“These are the signs that vaping is alive and well in your school community – girls and boys are equally interested in ‘grabbing a vape’. I believe vaping is bigger than cigarette smoking during the 1980s and 90s.
“Many parents don’t vape, so students are using other sources – a black market develops in the school, money changes hands, people who are not members of the school community lurk around outside after 3.30pm, ‘drops’ are arranged, a network is developed, the supply chain put in place.
“Detecting these thumb-sized vapes is impossible. It’s a game that students are winning. Students in Year 5 are using vapes and the menace is present in every year group in high schools.
“It is taking everybody’s valuable time away from teaching, supporting and learning,” Paine said.