A recent survey commissioned by the teaching union NASUWT has revealed alarming statistics about the prevalence of vaping among schoolchildren in England. The survey, which included responses from 4,000 teachers, highlights the widespread issues that vaping is causing in schools, impacting both student behaviour and health.

Survey Findings on Vaping in Schools

Teacher Concerns

• Prevalence: More than 85% of teachers surveyed warned that vaping on school premises is causing significant problems.
• Behavioural Impact: Teachers reported that students often miss lessons to vape in toilets, lie about feeling sick to leave class, and face peer pressure to buy and sell vapes.
• Geographical Data: In the South West of England, almost 84% of teachers said vaping is an issue in their school.

Specific Incidents

Teachers described numerous concerning behaviours related to vaping:

• Common in Toilets: Vaping is so prevalent in school toilets that non-vaping students avoid using them.
• Vaping During Lessons: Many teachers highlighted vaping during lessons as a huge problem.
• Confiscation from Young Children: Vapes have been confiscated from children as young as five years old.
• Vaping with THC: Some students were found with vapes containing THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis.

Health Risks and Public Health Concerns

Professor from Bath University tested vapes in 30 schools in England and found Spice and THC present in vapes in 25 of those schools. He expressed concern that a child might die during the summer holidays due to unknowingly using a vape laced with Spice.

• Early Psychosis Links: The presence of THC and Spice in vapes poses significant health risks, including the potential for psychotic episodes.
• Public Health Emergency: Dr. Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT, described vaping among young people as a public health emergency, calling for immediate government intervention.

Government and Regulatory Response

Dr. Roach urged the new government to act decisively to protect children from the dangers of vaping. Key points include:

• Proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill: The NASUWT welcomes this bill as part of efforts to tackle the issue.
• Ban on Disposable Vapes: One of the proposed measures includes banning all sales of disposable vapes to protect children’s health.

Challenges in Schools

Teachers face significant challenges in managing vaping among students:

• Damaged Property: Students often dispose of used vapes by stuffing them into sinks and pipes, causing property damage.
• Increased Policing: Teachers spend more time policing vape use, including searching school bags on trips.
• Parental Attitudes: Some parents are reportedly indifferent or even complicit in providing vapes to their children.

These findings highlight the urgent need for stronger regulations and better enforcement to protect children from the harmful effects of vaping. With vaping becoming a public health crisis, concerted efforts are required from both educators and policymakers to address this growing issue.

Source: ITV