A Care-Focused Approach to the Health and Legal Concerns of Vaping Amongst Young People
At Tintern, our most important responsibility is the safety and wellbeing of our students, both inside and outside the School premises. This responsibility can be difficult to execute at times, as it is not always within my or the School’s direct influence, but nonetheless it exists. Today I want to discuss a matter of growing concern in our School and our society, and that is vaping among young people. While we approach this topic with care and understanding foremost, we must acknowledge it as very significant, both the health and legal concerns associated with it.
First and foremost, I want to emphasise that at Tintern, our primary focus is on the health, welfare, and development of our students, not instinctively on punishment or consequences. We understand that adolescents are at a stage of exploration and self-discovery, and it is natural for them to encounter various influences in their lives, not all of which are positive. At times they will push back against well-intended and well-informed adult guidance. However, it is crucial for all of us, as responsible adults, to collaborate with them and guide them towards making informed choices that promote their good health and long-term wellbeing.
From a legal standpoint, it is important to recognise that the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices among young people is strictly regulated. The legal age to purchase and possess these products is 18 or older in Victoria, and in a regulatory sense, they cannot contain nicotine. However, the reality is that this landscape is actually very poorly regulated ‘on the ground’ with private importers profiting from the easy sale of vapes, even for underage students. Recent legislative initiatives have further strengthened the governmental position and of course these regulations are in place for a reason – to safeguard the health of our youth and protect them from potential harm.
Particularly important are the health concerns associated with vaping. While vaping was initially marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, emerging evidence suggests that it poses its own risks, particularly among young people. The long-term effects of vaping on lung health are still being studied, but early research indicates potential for significant harm, including respiratory problems and negative impacts on brain development.
Sadly, it is clear that many young people are either ignorant or distrustful of this emerging evidence. Anecdotally, our understanding is that some students at least believe that adults amplify the dangers of vaping because they believe students should not do it from a regulatory perspective. This could not be further from the truth; it is clearly harmful.
As an educational institution, we certainly have a duty to uphold and reinforce the law, ensuring that our students are aware of and respect the applicable laws, but an even stronger imperative is to educate and inform on the health concerns of vaping. On the day of the secondary Swimming Carnival in Term 1, we did just this for secondary students in their gender groups, and student feedback was that this was well pitched.
As a number of my colleagues in other independent secondary schools have also indicated to me, we have not actually caught any students vaping at Tintern. This is not uncommon due to the lack of the smoke or odour that would be associated with a traditional cigarette. However, there are strong beliefs amongst staff that we have students who are vaping. This is particularly fuelled by groups of students entering school bathrooms together, and at times reported to be of smelling like lollies on exit.
We are currently looking at adapting our response process for students who vape. However, I still believe that education and support should be our primary tool in this. We will certainly apply a very strong response indeed to any student who was selling vaping equipment as it is both illegal and damaging to others.
So, what to do? I strongly encourage parents and guardians to engage in open and honest conversations with their children about vaping. For a parent, being informed is a key element of this and below are some excellent resources for parents on the topic.
Lung Foundation Australia – parent vaping resources
Drug and Alcohol Research and Training – vaping resources for parents
Quit. org – E-cigarettes and young people: what you need to know
SPECIAL REPORT: Vaping & E-Cigarettes | Tintern Grammar (schooltv.me)
I hope that we can build an environment where your children feel comfortable discussing their concerns and seeking guidance. By working together, we can ensure that our students are well-informed and supported in making choices that prioritise their long-term health and happiness.
At Tintern Grammar, we remain committed to promoting the holistic development of our students. We will continue to provide educational programs and resources that raise awareness about the legal and health concerns of vaping. Through a caring and concerned approach, we aim to empower our students to make responsible decisions and protect their own well-being. I thank you for what I know will be your ongoing support as we navigate these important matters together.
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Brad Fry | Principal
