Geelong schools tackle vaping crisis, as one reveals drastic prevention measure

The principal of a Geelong school says hi-tech ‘vape detetectors’ have been installed in bathrooms in a bid to catch students in the act.

Local schools have been forced to take drastic measures in order to combat the rise in teenagers using e-cigarettes on campus.

Sacred Heart College Geelong deputy principal Catherine Gulli said the increase in students ‘vaping’ coincided with the pandemic and seems to be most prevalent among Years 9 and 10.

“We have installed vape detectors in toilets but our best preventive approach involves student-led voice as the majority of students don’t feel comfortable with its use within the school,” she said.

“The College continues to use a harm minimalisation approach to the issue by providing education around the risks and harm caused by vapes.”

In October 2021, the federal government put tighter laws around e-cigarettes in attempt to deter younger people, while still allowing smokers to use the device as a way to quit smoking.

Australia’s peak medicines body has revealed it detected banned ingredients in one third of vapes tested, with no nicotine-containing products passing strict labelling rules.

The TGA said 31 per cent of the 214 products it tested contained high concentrations of prohibited ingredients — among them vitamin E acetate and diacetyl — which have been linked to lung injuries and “popcorn lung”.

Bellarine Secondary College principal Wayne Johannesen said he was aware of vaping among teens and was looking into preventive measures.

“We treat (vaping) like smoking or any other illegal substance on our campus,” he said.

“We have been looking into detectors and we do talk to our students to make them aware of the dangers associated with vaping.

“We look at our health classes and learning for life classes as opportunities to build student understanding.”

Department of Education spokesman said vaping is banned at all education facilities and within four metres of any entrance.

“The Department provides a range of educational resources about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs – including e-cigarettes and vaping,” he said.

“These resources are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they include the latest health information.”

St Joseph College Geelong Principal Tony Paatsch said there has been a small minority involved in vaping.

“We are working extensively with students, the exact year levels tend to be with younger boys,” he said.

“It is something over the last couple of years we have seen a little bit more, but I’m not sure it is a problem as of yet.”

Mr Paatsch said vape detectors were also considered but the school has ultimately chosen to conduct educative programs around the dangers of vaping instead.

“We are just trying to educate students because that’s our core business,” he said.

Deputy director at the Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change Dr Michelle Jongenelis said there was a misconception that vapes were harmless.

“We do need to get better at educating on this, and this should start at the school level,” she said.

It comes as Barwon Health emergency director Dr Belinda Hibble said the health sector was still studying the impact of vaping.

“There have been a series of cases of both lung disease and deaths due to vaping overseas, so we are very concerned about the potential for this locally,” she said.”

Originally published as Geelong schools tackle vaping crisis, as one reveals drastic prevention measure