Dozens of young children exposed to nicotine vapes as government launches new education campaign

Dozens of preschool-aged children are being exposed to addictive nicotine vapes, sparking a new campaign in schools to stamp it out.

Dozens of preschool-aged children are being exposed to addictive nicotine vapes, prompting a new government crackdown on the illegal products in South Australian schools.

Latest data shows an SA Health poisons hotline received 30 calls in 2022 reporting children under five had been exposed to vape devices and fluids.

The data shows in the first three months of this year alone, the Poisons Information Centre received eight phone calls reporting the exposure, compared to eight calls in 2021, three in 2020, 10 in 2019 and four in 2018 reporting the same incidents.

It comes as the government launches a new education campaign, to be unveiled on Thursday, targeting high school students who have taken up vaping, with the state’s top medical officer Professor Nicola Spurrier writing to thousands of parents to warn them of the “harmful effects” of vaping.

“The nicotine in one e-cigarette is equal to 50 cigarettes and can be even higher,” Prof Spurrier says in her letter to parents, which will be distributed on Thursday.

Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier will spearhead a new government campaign to crack down on vaping in high schools. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

“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.

“We are also seeing increasing numbers of parents ringing the poisons information line after finding very young children have either inhaled or ingested nicotine from e-cigarettes.”

As part of the campaign, posters outlining the dangers of vaping will be displayed in all government high schools, while area schools and R-12 schools have also received posters and fact sheets to provide to students.

Vapes containing nicotine were outlawed without a prescription in 2021.

However, data from the Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia also shows an increase in 15 to 29-year-olds vaping with 7.8 per cent using the products, compared with 1.1 per cent in 2017.

Wastewater data also shows nicotine levels are at the highest levels since 2017, with an average of 12,837 doses per week per 1000 people recorded in Adelaide.

The government’s latest crackdown comes as new data reveals preschool-aged children are being exposed to addictive nicotine vapes.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the increase in young people vaping was “deeply concerning”.

“We want to reduce the number of young people who are using vapes and addicted to nicotine so we can protect their health,” he said.

“Working together across government, schools, and the community will give us the best chance at beating the vaping epidemic.”

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the best approach to address the increase in young people vaping was by educating them on the health impacts of the products.

“It’s critical that we are proactive in addressing this issue and respond with the best resources and education in a preventative manner,” he said.

“It’s important that young people know what vaping does to their health.”