A key issue with vaping in schools is the appeal of various flavours and colours, and the assumption that that vaping is safe, or at least safer than cigarettes.
Just like regular cigarettes when they first become commonplace, there are many unknowns about the long term health risks, even though some short term health-risks are being identified. Problems can include issues with blood pressure, the cardiovascular system, lung functioning and heart rate.
Unlike smoking rates which have been in decline in recent years, vaping rates are climbing- with the number of teenagers using e-cigarettes doubling in just one year, according to the NSW Secondary Principals’ Council.
Recent data from the NSW Population Health Survey found that 11.1% of 16 to 24-year-olds are regular ‘vape’ users, against 4.5% the year prior, making it the biggest vaping increase across all age groups. Out of the 16-24 age group, young males vape the most with 12.3% against 9.8% for young women.
Our Solution
While any solution needs to be multi-tiered, many schools have been turning to FlySense – a network connected vape sensor designed to detect the vaping and provide realtime alerts.
Combined with education, the vape detection provides a strong solution to an increasing problem.
Resources
Here are some resources that we have put together around vaping in schools.
- What you need to know about vaping (Education NSW)
- High-tech vaping sensors installed in Victorian schools (9News)
- Vaping Toolkit (NSW Health)
- E-Cigarette Handout for Parents (Cancer Council)
- Cancer Council calls for stronger action on e-cigarettes - young Australians are most at risk
- School vape warning: Boy, 5, unwell weeks after puffing (The Age)
- School operations: Smoking and Vaping Ban (Education Victoria)
- Quit Education (quit.org.au)
- Victorian schools installing high-tech sensors to stop vaping (SMH)
