‘Like a prison’: Brisbane students outraged over new $500,000 ‘vape-proof’ toilet block

Outraged students at a Brisbane high school have likened a new $500,000 toilet block to a “prison”, claiming it has been designed to ‘prevent them vaping’.

Outraged students at a Brisbane high school have likened a new $500,000 toilet block they say is designed to “prevent them vaping” to a “prison”.

Cleveland District State High School students have spoken out about the controversial toilet block under construction which they say is an “invasion of privacy”.

The Department of Education confirmed work was under way on $500,000 to bring the toilet facilities “up to standard” but said the refit was not related to vaping “in any way”.

The department spokesman said the design of the new facilities had been endorsed by the student council and by the school’s P and C.

Fencing ready to be installed in the junior boys toilets at Cleveland State High School.

A student at the school told The Courier-Mail that “quite a lot” of students were experimenting with e-cigarettes but said the whole student body was being targeted by the changes.

The student said the majority of boys were “outraged” and wanted the old block back.

“It’s like a prison,” the student said.

The student said the facilities discriminated against non-vapers.

“I don’t think the school should punish everyone,” the student said.

“The teachers say to us if you’re a good student and don’t vape you won’t be impacted, but that’s not true.

“A lot of students are upset by it and it’s not going to stop them vaping.”

The spokesman said the new facilities were fitted with private cubicles with wash basins in an open area to ensure better ventilation and improve the health and safety of students.

“The refit of the toilet blocks is not related in any way to vaping,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman said a similar toilet block had been built at Brisbane Bayside College which was similar to Cleveland’s.

Cleveland state high has a student body of more than 2100, according to the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority.

It comes after e-cigarettes were last month labelled as a “public health crisis” in a three-year student which found vaping increased the risk of addiction, poisoning, seizures, burns and lung damage.

Cleveland District State High School students forced to use portaloos.

The study, undertaken by experts from the Australian National University on behalf of the federal government, also reported early signs of adverse impacts on vapers’ cardiovascular health including blood pressure, heart rate and lung functioning caused by e-cigarette use.

Another student said the new facility made them feel “uncomfortable” while another said it was a waste of school funds that could be used elsewhere. Another said they would consider changing schools.

“The only toilets that male students can access are the porta potties which are filthy, and disgusting,” the student said.

The student said the girls’ toilets had barred doors installed instead of traditional doors about three years ago which was another “privacy” issue.

The department spokesman said the school had not received any complaints about the girls’ toilet block.

He said the portaloos were a temporary measure and that there were several male toilet facilities at the school.

Queensland Secondary Principals’ Association president Mark Breckenridge said vaping was a major issue throughout schools.

It comes after the principal of Sunshine Coast private school Immanuel Lutheran College revealed in April that vape detectors had been installed on toilet cameras to “identify students experimenting with vaping”.

Principal Colin Minke called for more government action on the dangerous practice, saying schools had been left with the task of educating students and parents about vaping.

Education Minister Grace Grace controversially claimed in January that vaping was “no bigger issue than smoking cigarettes was when she was at school”.

Ms Grace stressed that all Queensland schools had a zero-tolerance policy to vaping and that it was a concern taken seriously.

It comes after Year 11 girls at Cleveland District State High School were filmed smoking marijuana in school uniform in 2018.

Originally published as ‘Like a prison’: Brisbane students outraged over new $500,000 ‘vape-proof’ toilet block