E-Cigarettes / Vaping
In the last Newsletter Mrs Forner, our Pastoral Care Coordinator, provided key information regarding a growing and troubling trend in society, namely, vaping or electronic / e-cigarettes.
I have included her information here again in case you did not read this the first time around.
The link to a report that was on the television programme A Current Affair last week about disposable e-cigarettes can also be found here:
Recently there has been an increasing concern about the growing number of teenagers using e-cigarettes, or what is more commonly known amongst teenagers as “vaping”.
E-cigarettes are devices that deliver an aerosol by heating a solution that users breath in. They are battery-operated and may look like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or memory sticks. Teenagers are often of the belief that ‘vaping’ is not harmful, and they are influenced by big tobacco companies who are marketing fruit flavoured e-cigarettes with popular social media images. The truth of the matter is that vaping hasn’t been around long enough for us to know how it affects the body over time. Scientists are still learning about e-cigarettes and they cannot be considered safe.
Hazardous substances have been found in e-cigarette liquids and in the aerosol produced by e-cigarettes, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein, which are known to cause cancer.
There are complex regulations regarding the purchasing of e-cigarettes in Australia In NSW, it is illegal for e-cigarettes or any accessories to be sold to people under that age of 18. However, teenagers are still able to find ways of purchasing e-cigarettes, whether it be over the internet or from a third party.
What are the warning signs of teenagers vaping?
- Sweet smells – e-cigarettes often have sweet smells of fruit, lollies or bubble gum
- Bloodshot eyes - When it comes to vaping, there aren’t very many physical signs to look out for. However, bloodshot eyes can be an indication that your child has been vaping.
- Irritability - Irritable or anxious behaviours can be a sign your child is experiencing withdrawals from nicotine.
- Excessive thirst – dehydration is often a sign of excessive vaping.
- Unfamiliar devices batteries and chargers – if you find that your child has interesting shaped batteries or chargers it is important to investigate it further.
What should you do if you catch your child vaping?
It is important to remain calm and have an open conversation about the impact of vaping on their health. Ask your child questions, for example where did they purchase the e-cigarette, and listen to their answers.
While there should be consequences for vaping, the delivery of these consequences need to come from a calm rational place. Work with your child to assess whether or not they have an addiction and how to access help.
The College's approach to students bringing in e-cigarettes and/or vaping is in line with our approach to students bringing cigarettes and/or alcohol to the College. Obviously, if such cases occurred, we would be in contact with parents/carers and take the matter seriously.
More information can be found on the following websites:
https://www.school-news.com.au/news/staving-off-the-teen-vaping-epidemic/
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/concerns-about-rising-popularity-of-e-cigarettes-a