Pimlico State High School decides to lock toilets in move to stop vaping

A concerned Townsville mum has lashed out at new anti-vaping measures put in place at her child’s school, where toilets have been locked and teachers are used as guards.

A concerned Townsville mum has lashed out at new anti-vaping measures put in place at her child’s school, where toilets have been locked up and teachers guard the entrance.

The Pimlico State High School parent, who did not wish to be named, said the new rules were violating the rights of students, and leaving them extremely frustrated.

“If there is an issue with vaping, which I believe is rampant at Pimlico, perhaps that should be the focus as opposed to punishing every single student at the school who uses a bathroom,” the mother said.

Pimlico State High School executive principal Joel Buchholz sent a newsletter to parents on Thursday alerting them to the new measures.

Vaping is banned in all Queensland schools.

In the letter, Mr Buchholz said all but two toilets at the school would be closed to all students during class times, and teachers would monitor all the lavatories during lunch breaks.

“Unfortunately, groups of students congregating in the toilets to vape has led to other anti-social behaviour and an increase in damage in the toilets as well as a reluctance by some students to use the toilets for their intended purpose,” he said.

“Members of our leadership team are also undertaking additional patrols each day to provide increased supervision around our toilets in transition times and during breaks.”

Pimlico High School camp out

But the mother said the toilets left unlocked all day were dilapidated, and some cubicles were out of order.

“If they’re going to put measures like this in place, ensure the facilities are efficient.

“I understand to a degree the reason they need to do this, but I feel as though they’re putting the cart before the horse.”

The latest action in Townsville comes after schools in southeast Queensland made similar restrictions to address vaping during school hours.

Vaping has grown in popularity and is now becoming a concern in schools.

Smoking is banned in all Queensland schools, which also includes electronic cigarettes, and students are not allowed to bring these into the school grounds.

But the concerned mum said kids were even selling vapes at school, according to her child.

“It’s extremely bad. They pretty much come home from school every day and explain to me other students are walking around openly vaping on the school grounds,” she said.

“There have been a lot of kids who are selling vapes and the vials at school and they’ve had a lot of suspensions.”

In a statement to the Townsville Bulletin, Mr Buchholz stood by the decision to lock some toilets during class times.

He said the school took vaping seriously and have also implemented other measures to prevent the behaviour.

“The measures include addressing the dangers of vaping in the HPE curriculum, inviting an

expert to speak to the students about the dangers and impact of vaping, personalised

intervention for students who are caught or are suspected of vaping, and keeping the school

community informed of these measures,” Mr Buchholz said.

The school is also exploring future upgrades to the open toilets.

Originally published as Pimlico State High School decides to lock toilets in move to stop vaping