Waverley College student suspended after vape pen ‘network’ busted

An elite private school student who was selling vape pens to his classmates on social media for up to $25 a pop has been suspended.

A private schoolboy in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has been suspended for running an electronic cigarette “pyramid scheme’’, using a network of fellow students to sell vapes on his behalf via social media.

It is understood the Waverley College student used phone apps such as Snapchat and Instagram to sell the products to students across the eastern suburbs, with each vape selling for between $15 and $25.

A parent of one student at the college said the proliferation of e-cigarettes or vapes among students was “absolutely a concern”.

A student at Waverley College has been suspended for selling vape pens. Picture: Supplied

“Not only have vapes been around the school for more than a year, but this was more like a pyramid scheme. It wasn’t just selling them behind the toilet block, it was much more organised as an entity,” the parent said.

The racket was brought to the attention of the school’s leadership late last month after running throughout the year.

Waverley College headmaster Graham Leddie told The Daily Telegraph the school was offering support to the student following his suspension.

“Once Waverley College found that a student was in possession of vapes outside of school, it was immediately addressed, as per our standard practice,” Mr Leddie said.

“The student has been suspended and has been receiving support from the College due to concern for his wellbeing and as part of restorative justice. Every action in life has a consequence.

“And part of our role is to give students every opportunity to be a young man that leaves people and places better for them having been there.’’

It is understood the student will receive support through until the end of the year to complete his HSC.

Waverley College vice principal Patrick Brennan said in a newsletter “a small number of students are still making poor decisions in terms of vaping” and warned students found selling vapes to other students would put their enrolment at the college in jeopardy.

Battery operated e-cigarettes – which superheat liquid, enabling it to be smoked as a vapour – containing nicotine are banned in NSW.

The student came from Waverley College in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Picture: AAP Image

But those that do not contain nicotine, and instead hold flavoured liquids, are legal for adults to buy and use.

In NSW it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes or e-cigarette accessories to a person under 18 years of age. Police have liaised with the school’s principal about the incident but said “it is likely to be treated as an internal school matter”.