More than 80 per cent of high schools are aware of students who vape, with the majority reporting a spike in the past two years

A “shift in culture” has led to an alarming rise in primary school students who vape, with a new report revealing how widespread the issue is.

More than a third of primary school staff have students who vape, as high school teachers warn some parents are even giving their children the e-cigarettes.

An alarming new study, which surveyed staff from 196 Australian schools, including 48 Victorian schools, found more than 80 per cent of high schools are aware of students who vape, with the majority reporting a spike in the past two years.

Among staff who reported vaping at their school, 16 per cent said parents or guardians had given their children the vapes, while more than half reported a decline in students’ wellbeing, social interactions and sporting performances.

More than 40 per cent said vaping had caused a drop in academic performance, while more than a third observed negative mood changes, lower class attendance and increased tardiness.

The George Institute for Global Health study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal also found more than half of respondents thought vaping had caused a “shift in school culture”.

Staff from 196 Australian schools were surveyed for the study.

It revealed lunchtime was the most popular time to vape for high schoolers, while after and before school were the leading times for primary school kids.

A small number of respondents across primary and high schools said students had vaped in classrooms, but bathrooms and sports fields were the two most common locations.

Despite e-cigarette’s prevalence, the study found less than a third of government schools have a vaping policy.

More than half of respondents say students caught using, selling or possessing vapes should be suspended, while more than 70 per cent called for more parental involvement in anti-vaping initiatives and at-school counselling.

George Institute’s Professor Simone Pettigrew said their research suggests Australian students can easily access vapes, and their use in schools is becoming more widespread.

Results from the survey found a small number of students are vaping in the classroom. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“Our study shows some concerning trends in e-cigarette use in Australian schools – particularly primary schools – that need to be nipped in the bud to prevent future harm,” he said.

“School staff need greater support to address student e-cigarette use and prevent the negative consequences associated with vaping by children at school and beyond,” she added.

“But it’s not just a problem for schools – communities and governments also need to take note of this growing trend and take steps to protect young people from vaping harms.”

In June, the Herald Sun revealed that schools were installing vape detectors that lock students inside bathrooms so teachers could search children for contraband.

Earlier this year, a five-year-old Geelong boy was hospitalised for several days after ingesting a strawberry vape with his friends at school.

It was revealed in February that Victoria Police were cracking down on vendors selling vapes to minors illegally, with authorities believed to have charged a retailer under new vaping laws for the first time earlier this month.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said schools took vaping “extremely seriously”.

“Tobacco regulation and importation is primarily a responsibility of the Commonwealth, and we’ll continue to advocate for stronger national e-cigarette regulation,” the spokeswoman said.