From the Principal
Vaping: “SAY NO”. A wellbeing challenge for MSCW
Recently, you may have seen the Health Minister, Mark Butler, outline the Government’s strong action to reduce smoking and stamp out vaping, particularly among young Australians, through stronger legislation, enforcement, education and support. I applaud this action, as in schools we have been dealing with vaping for quite a while. It seems that no matter what we try to do, some of our young women are just not listening. This exercise of poor judgement, especially when it’s key to their long-term health, is very concerning. It’s well known that addiction to anything – tobacco, vaping, gambling, phones, alcohol is a proven path to long term health issues, even misery. The 2023-24 budget announced recently will include $737 million to fund a number of measures to protect Australians against the harm caused by tobacco and vaping products. This funding will be used to:
- stop the import of non-prescription vapes;
- increase the minimum quality standards for vapes including by restricting flavours, colours, and other ingredients;
- require pharmaceutical-like packaging;
- reduce the allowed nicotine concentrations and volumes; and
- ban all single use, disposable vapes.
It seems, from our many staff conversations, that the ease with which young people can obtain vapes through convenience stores and other retail outlets is far too relaxed. If one combines this with a nonchalant attitude towards such an insidious risk, it can only end one way – unhappily! Once again, it presents challenges for us in supporting our girls to lead a safe and healthy lifestyle.
Interestingly, at my recent dentist checkup, my dentist asked me about vaping and whether this is something that we are dealing with in the College. She mentioned that the Dentist Association was providing them with a lot of information and current research about how vapes are affecting teeth – adversely!
There is little doubt vaping presents a significant health risk. We all did our best to avoid or minimize COVID-19. Who wouldn’t want to protect their lungs and teeth?
The current research is showing that vaping can cause lung injury, cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, as well as negative effects on brain development and the immune system. Not only can vaping lead to long-term addiction, but it is also associated with other health risks such as seizures, acute nicotine toxicity and burns. Apart from pharmacies dispensing nicotine vaping to patients with a prescription, it is illegal for Australian retailers, including vape stores, to sell nicotine vaping products. However, without this new legislation, vape stores are able to sell flavours and non-nicotine vaping products. (Therapeutic Goods Administration, 2023).
Those who use e-cigarettes and vapes are three times more likely to turn into smokers. In other words, vaping is now considered as a significant ‘gateway’ to future uptake of cigarette smoking and further risk and health complications.
It appears that the girls’ circle of friends is the most significant factor influencing them to start vaping. Companies are also using subtle strategies to target our youth. Social media plays a role as both an information source and as a means of exposure to vaping. Products are targeted towards young people with cartoon-like logos and flavours such as Menthol Freeze, Bubble-gum, Berry Bash, Appletini, Fresh Mint, Mango Tango and Watermelon Wave. There is a flourishing network of online dealers, street sales and convenience stores supporting a thriving black market for illegal nicotine vapes which young people can easily access. (ABC News: Four Corners, 2022).
At MSCW, we address health issues through the curriculum and our wellbeing programs. Our Marist Compass dimension of “Empower” calls our girls to “SAY NO” to vapes, including alternate ways of saying “NO”. Eg.
- “I don’t want to waste my money”;
- “I’ve read what it does to your lungs and teeth”;
- “I’ve seen those explode”;
- “I have asthma”;
- “I’m an athlete – forget it!”;
- “I don’t want your germs”;
- “Have you heard what kind of rubbish is in those?”
- “My body is a temple – No way”
As teachers and parents, engaging students in a conversation about vaping and associated behaviours is challenging. Some tips that may be useful are:
- Start with information.
- Approach it calmly.
- Don’t make assumptions.
- Avoid judging or lecturing.
- Use facts to explain the health concerns.
- Use real and appropriate consequences if you become aware of vaping.
Both at home and at MSCW, we need to be proactive and realistic about vaping. The research indicates that girls are more likely to try vaping prior to smoking than boys. Risk taking amongst adolescents is part of the problem but we have seen how successful health/wellbeing programs have been in reducing the incidence of smoking.
Recent Newsletters have provided information on vaping as well as our School TV site. Should you have any questions or concerns please make contact with the College.
Materials to support parents on the topic of Vaping are available at the links below:
NSW Govt – Vaping Fact Sheet for Parents and Carers
Alcohol and Drug Foundation: Fact Sheet Vaping (e-cigarettes)
YouTube – Vaping- Respect Your Brain (49 seconds)
WEBINAR – Clearing the Smoke: navigating teen vaping and social media Thursday 25 May 7.00pm to 7.45pm
