Responding to the announcement that the Government is proposing
to ban the sale of disposable vapes, Dr Patrick Roach,
General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union said:
“The NASUWT has been calling on the Government to take effective
action to ban the sale of disposable vapes as part of a package
of measures to protect children’s health. Today’s announcement is
a welcome step in the right direction.
“The impact of vaping on child health, concentration and learning
is contributing to a public health emergency and teachers and
headteachers have been on the front line dealing with the grave
consequences associated with the use of vaping products and the
addictions created by them.
“An NASUWT survey found that 85% of teachers said vaping is a
problem on school premises and had increased over the last year,
with many pupils as young as 11 vaping regularly.
“Vaping in schools poses a huge health risk to pupils and
teachers and schools need to be provided with greater resources
to deal with the problems caused by this epidemic.
“The Government must also now act to invest in improved public
health information and better support for children and young
people addicted to vaping products.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The NASUWT’s Vaping in Schools survey was carried out in
mid-September 2023 and received responses from 4000 members. The
survey was commissioned following the release of the
recent NASUWT Behaviour in
Schools report, where many teachers reported that nicotine
addictions from vaping were causing behavioural issues in pupils.
Key findings
- 85% of teachers state that vaping
is an issue in their school or on school premises.
- Three-quarters (75%) of teachers
stated that vaping has increased in schools over the past year –
on average, they said the problem has grown by 25%.
- Only 20% believed that their
schools had effective policies to deal with vaping.
- While most respondents were
teachers in secondary schools, some primary teachers reported
pupils as young as ten bringing vapes into school.
- Over half (54%) of teachers
reported that some pupils repeatedly leave lessons in order to
vape.
- Over a third (35%) reported that
some pupils are struggling to concentrate in lessons due to the
effects of nicotine.
- Multiple teachers who responded to
the survey feel that marketing is significantly contributing to
the issue, as vapes with sweet flavours are designed to appeal to
young audiences.
- More than one respondent recalled
seeing vapes that were packaged to look like school highlighter
pens.
- Only 20% believed that their
schools had effective policies to deal with vaping.
As part of the vaping survey, teachers were asked for comments on
their experiences of issues around vaping in schools. Here is a
small selection:
“Pupils using vapes to self-regulate their emotions, major cause
for concern.”
“Students vaping THC and being sick, passing out and being high
whilst on school premises.”
“Pressure for students to buy/sell vapes; students buying from
"dealers" - a bit like drug abuse and county lines.”
“Pupils admitting to addiction but refusing support from
external agencies, and an escalation from vaping nicotine to THC
and marijuana.”
“Choreographed movements by vaping students/buddies working
in ‘relays’ masquerading as toilet breaks during lessons.”
“Students who would not have tried smoking are willing to
try vaping due to the flavours and smell.”
“It isn’t just the ‘rebellious’ students who are vaping.
Students considered to be more studious are also vaping.”
“There has been an increase in fire alarms due to vaping.
This had a negative impact on teaching and learning.”
“Impossible to control without policing the toilets, which
has privacy issues.”
“Many pupils who are known vapers have coughs.”
“Students are very open about vaping and feel that it poses
no risk to their health despite PHSE lessons to the
contrary.”
“It’s getting worse. Students who don’t vape are afraid to
go to the toilets and are training themselves to not go/not
drinking enough.”
“The pupils are finding new places to hide vapes faster than
staff can find them.”
“4 children vaping on and outside the premises in my
2022/23 class. Year 5.”
“Children are picking up disposed vapes from the ground and
using them.”
“Constantly evacuated because of the fire alarms going off.
Can be 5 times a day.”
“Vaping culture has been promoted heavily within the local
community so it’s had an effect on students, as it is normalised
outside of school.”
“Vaping is also with THC/ CBD and pupils will talk about
this, aloud or in a random announcement during lesson.”
“Most students start vaping during Y7. I would estimate at
least 40% of students in my school are vaping by the end of year
7 - just a few years it was rare.”
