Secondary students to be warned about the dangers of vaping, with $40k government funding

A Christian-based substance abuse counselling service has received a state government grant to deliver a program to secondary students on the dangers of vaping.

A Christian-based substance abuse counselling service will be used to alert students to the health dangers of vaping.

Encounter Youth will work with the Cancer Council on a new e-cigarette and vaping education program to be run in secondary schools across the state.

The state government will provide $40,000 in funding to deliver the pilot program to 60 schools over the next two years.

Year 7 to 12 students will attend 75-minute sessions where they will be told how battery-powered e-cigarettes work by heating liquids into aerosols which contain nicotine.

They also will be briefed about:

HOW many fruit fluids within e-cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine.

THE health risks associated with nicotine and inhalation of aerosols.

YOUNG people being targeted on social media marketing by vaping product suppliers, many of which are backed by tobacco companies.

THE illegality of the possession, use or sale of e-cigarettes by people aged under 18.

Recent surveys have revealed that two out of three teenagers in SA have tried vaping.

The introduction of the program follows a recent survey by Commissioner for Children and Young People Helen Connolly, which revealed two out of three SA teenagers had tried vaping.

The survey of 990 youths aged 13 to 19 also found young people believed there was a multitude of misinformation surrounding vaping.

They told Ms Connolly there needed to be more education in schools about its dangers.

Doors to toilet blocks have been removed in some secondary schools in a bid to reduce the widespread use of e-cigarettes.

Students also have been subjected to random searches by teachers while those caught vaping or selling e-cigarettes have faced expulsion or suspension.

Education Minister Blair Boyer raised the issue with federal Education Minister Jason Clare during a recent meeting in Canberra.

Mr Boyer said Mr Clare had shared his view that schools needed to tackle the vaping issue “head on” with pre-emptive education programs for students.

“We must educate our young people on the consequences of vaping so they can make informed decisions and understand the health implications,” he said.

“These education awareness programs are so important in doing that.”

Encounter Youth chief executive Nigel Knowles. Picture: Matt Loxton

SA Commissioner for Children and Young People Helen Connolly

Encounter Youth chief executive Nigel Knowles said its program provided a “specifically targeted way to inform students on the health impacts of vaping”.

“We connect them with the support needed to reduce the incidence of vaping among young people,” he said.

“The program will ensure young South Australians are equipped with the knowledge and strategies they need to look after themselves and their mates.”

Encounter Youth has been a long-term provider of alcohol and drug counselling support to the annual Schoolies festival at Victor Harbor.