CWA Tasmania calls for vape detectors in state’s schools

The Country Women’s Association of Tasmania are putting their feet down on our kids’ health — calling for vape detectors to be installed in all schools across the state. HAVE YOUR SAY

VAPE detectors should be installed in all school toilets, the Country Women’s Association of Tasmania says.

“This [vaping] is detrimental to their health, their physical health and their brain health,” CWA state president Maureen Hindley said.

“We can’t wait. It’s in every school, private and public.

“I’m surprised the government hasn’t foreseen what’s happening with vaping and for it to get to this point where children are able to try the vapes in the school environment, it’s terrible.”

With smoke detectors unable to pick up vaping, Mrs Hindley said vape detectors in schools would be an effective tool for prevention.

Urgent action is needed from the state government, health department and education department, Mrs Hindley said.

“The government needs to do something quickly and not let it get out of hand as it did with smoking. We’ve got smoking numbers down but we don’t want our young people to become addicted to the vapes,” Mrs Hindley said.

Smoking rates among Tasmanian youth are the lowest they have ever been, Quit Tasmania director Abby Smith said.

“We know from research, nonsmokers who use e-cigarettes are about three times as likely to go on to smoke tobacco.”

A recent report from Cancer Council Victoria showed almost nine in 10 Australian adults support government action to regulate and stop e-cigarette use.

Ms Smith took aim at the vaping manufacturers, not users.

“The issue is around the vaping industry and the blatant disregard for existing laws and the fact these products are flooding the market and aggressively marketed towards young people,” she said.

AMA Tasmanian Vice President Dr Annette Barratt at New Town. Picture Chris Kidd

The Australian Medical Association agreed.

“They should not be marketed in a form that is attractive to children such as the bubblegum flavours and pretty colours,” AMA Tasmania vice-president Annette Barratt said.

Dr Barratt was disappointed that big businesses which promote vapes have been allowed to get this far.

“We don’t want to wait 30 to 40 years to see the harms coming from vapes when we can tell from medical experience that inhaling superheated gases isn’t good for you,” she said.

Ms Smith called for stronger regulations and limits to access.

“We need to look at state-level legislation or any other relevant legislation that makes it an offence to supply e-cigarettes outside the existing Therapeutic Goods Administration prescription pathway.”

Dr Barratt said nicotine was one of the most toxic substances on the planet.