New Legislation around Vaping and Current Prevention Practices at Marist

One of the biggest concerns around High Schools around Australia at present, is the dramatic rise in vaping amongst adolescents. As a College and further education system, we nearly had a generation of students who were not exposed to the dangers of smoking, with the Australian Government’s anti-smoking initiatives dramatically impacting the number of students who accessed tobacco products. Unfortunately, over the past few years, the rise of electronic cigarettes from unauthorised sources has hit alarming rates.

Last week the Australian Health Minister, the Hon Mark Butler MP, announced the latest Vaping reforms which included prohibiting imports of non-prescription vaping products and a ban on single-use disposable vapes. According to the Health Minister, one in six teenagers aged 14 to 16 has vaped - this statistic highlights the widespread issue our schools are currently facing.

According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation most people who currently vape in Australia are using non-regulated products, so we have no idea what ingredients are in them, including the nicotine levels. The new regulations would see vapes regulated and sold in plain packing through pharmacies to people with a prescription. This would also limit young people's access to vapes.

The Foundation has emphasised that repeated use of nicotine causes changes in the brain’s reward pathways and alters parts of the brain involved in learning, stress, and self-control. This can make it very difficult to stop using it. As parents, carers, and teachers we should be aware of the challenges young people may face when they can no longer easily access vapes, so that we can support them.

The links below, courtesy of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, provide insight into information about vapes and how best to support young people who might be experimenting or have an addiction to them. In addition to the information provided, it is worth keeping in mind that social media is one of the most highly used means for accessing vapes. It is through Snap Chat and Instagram that the arrangement of purchasing vapes is made. Parents and carers are encouraged to be more vigilant regarding their son’s social media use so as to avoid the purchase and selling of vapes.

Read more

Talk About It - guide for parents and carers

Vaping drug facts

Clearing the air - Vaping and young people article

As a College, we commend the policy changes that include plain packaging, restricted flavours and restrictions on purchasing vapes as these should make a big difference on accessibility and use.

At Marist, our position around vaping is clear: it is illegal and will be dealt with in the manner of an illicit substance being brought onto our grounds.

We have measures in place to prevent vaping within our school grounds including vape detectors in our toilets. In addition to the detectors, we have clear consequences if students are found either in possession of a vape, vaping at school or amongst other students who are vaping.

Any student found vaping at Marist is issued with the consequence of suspension, and this period is designed for reflection around choices and to provide an education program based on research around vaping that is to be completed before returning. Upon return, the student will complete a series of education sessions around making better choices and investigating both the short term and long-term effects vaping has on an individual.

Of course, we want to work with all of our boys to help them understand the risks and dangers of vaping, but also want them to be aware that we do not want this illicit material at the College. 

Sarah Mahar
Assistant Head of School - Wellbeing and Engagement