State, Federal education ministers put principals on alert over vaping

South Australian principals have been warned of the extreme fallout of a vaping craze sweeping schools as ‘Big Tobacco’ targets students. Read the letter to principals here.

Vaping is now the “number one behavioural issue in schools,” federal and state ministers warn in a sombre letter sent to all South Australian public school principals this week sounding the alarm on the addictive practice.

Students skipping classes to vape in toilets, becoming withdrawn or disruptive due to nicotine addiction, hiding vapes in pencils cases and more is adding new challenges to classrooms.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, federal Education Minister Jason Clare, and their respective state colleagues Chris Picton and Blair Boyer have signed the letter outlining the extent of the problem, action by federal and state governments to tackle it and urging principals to be vigilant in the fight.

Mr Butler said it was vital as the school year starts students don’t pick up vaping alongside new friends and experiences.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ben Clark

Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

“Vapes have morphed very quickly to become a widespread, highly addictive product, and one being deliberately marketed at our kids,” he said.

“That’s why on January 1, the Albanese government brought in the first stage of our world-leading reforms to protect young Australians, and why we’ll be introducing world-leading laws to effectively make it illegal to make, advertise or sell single-use disposable or non-therapeutic vapes anywhere in Australia.

“We are taking on Big Tobacco so they can’t succeed in getting a new generation addicted to nicotine.”

READ THE FULL VAPING LETTER TO PRINCIPALS

In the united stand, federal Education Minister Jason Clare added: “Vaping companies are targeting our children.

“Principals will tell you that vaping is causing significant behavioural issues, with kids withdrawing from vapes, skipping class to vape and are disruptive in class.

“Parents are worried and teachers are being turned into de facto police to find vapes in school bags and pencil cases.

“That’s why the federal and South Australian governments are working together to help to get these out of our schools.”

State Health Minister Chris Picton called vaping by schoolchildren a “public health emergency.”

SA Health protection and licensing services executive director Chris Lease, health minister Chris Picton, chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier and Sara Driver whose two teenage daughters became addicted to vapes, in front of seized vapes containing nicotine. Picture: Brad Crouch

“Children as young as 13 or 14 are becoming addicted to nicotine at an alarming rate,” he said.

“Kids don’t realise how addictive these vapes are – or the dangerous chemicals that can be in them. More and more evidence is coming out on the long term health impacts of vaping.

“That’s why all Australian health ministers are united in taking strong action.

“We will keep increasing our awareness campaigns and strengthening our laws – and it is critical that we are working with our schools who are on the front line of this battle.”

State Education Minister Blair Boyer added his support saying “It is critical we are proactive in addressing this issue and respond with the best resources and education in a preventive manner.”