Students are so addicted they will hit the vape in the middle of English class

“A child dependent to nicotine will be anxious, angry, disrupting class and actively seeking out vapes,” says Dr Nick Yim.

Alexandra Feiam

3 min read

September 19, 2023 - 7:02AM

Family Life

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Kids in Queensland are rapidly becoming addicted to vaping, with some students as young as 10 using vapes.

Teachers and students across the state have reported a steady increase in vaping across playgrounds, bathrooms and classrooms.

Now the state government is being pushed to take the matter further by implementing new guidelines to identify and support kids addicted to nicotine.

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Several students were suspended from Emmaus College Rockhampton after shocking footage of them vaping in the bathroom went viral.

Kids as young as 10 vaping in schools

Speaking to Courier Mail, one Year 8 teacher said their students are less subtle with their vaping addiction.

“Cigarettes have always been around, but once upon a time, kids had to at least hide it and sneak away for it,” they said.

“Now they just blatantly get the hit whenever they want, even in the middle of English class.”

“It scares me to think of the health crisis awaiting us.”

Another teacher shared the moment girls were caught vaping in the school bathroom, sometimes up to 10 girls crowded in a single space to get their fix.

“Years 7 through to 12, smoking daily. And getting out of class to do so,” she said. “Then you have the kids who don’t vape but can’t go to the bathroom because so many kids are in there.”

She told Courier Mail she’s had students attend classes with increasing breathing problems.

Schools are being urged to crack down on vaping. Source: iStock

Vaping linked to “aggressive and jittery” behaviour in class

The alarming level of children and teenagers vaping has prompted an inquiry into Queensland schools, seeking to find solutions to support students quitting vaping and using e-cigarettes.

According to Australian Medical Association Queensland vice-president Dr Nick Yim, the “explosion” of students vaping is cause for concern, as it can play a major role in impacting mental health, anxiety and their ability to learn.

A parliamentary inquiry found students have become increasingly “aggressive and jittery” in class due to ongoing vape use.

“It’s hard to know the definition of addiction with children, but you have 10-year-olds, grade six starting to vape, some schools have kids aged 14 vaping every day, it’s very concerning,” said Dr Yim.

“A child dependent to nicotine will be anxious, angry, disrupting class and actively seeking out vapes.

“We need to educate those students and parents and treat it like any addiction. Seek a GP or offer them alternatives like patches, nicotine gum but under supervision,” he said.

Queensland Secondary Principals Association president Mark Breckenridge said schools are doing their best to tackle the issue. Source: Josh Woning

“Schools have gone to enormous efforts to address vaping”

But Queensland Secondary Principals Association president Mark Breckenridge said schools are already doing their best to solve the problem and are finding it hard to help students break the vaping habit.

“Schools have gone to enormous efforts, but it’s not just schools, we need the community, everyone to be on board,” he said.

“Schools have reported students showing addictive behaviours, being jittery, the need for the next hit, which obviously has a negative impact on their health and wellbeing. It’s a very hard fix, very difficult to break.”

The inquiry has recommended the Department of Education prepare guidelines and outline best practice support for nicotine-addicted students.

The department has also added vaping to its drug and alcohol program, which will be introduced to students next year.

“Work has commenced to develop guidelines for schools about how to respond when a student is identified as having a substance dependence, including smoking, e-cigarettes and vaping,” a spokesperson told Courier Mail.

“We are committed to continuing to explore proactive approaches to addressing vaping.”