Vaping by children as young as eight is one of the biggest issues causing concern amongst health services, parents, carers, and schools on the North Coast, so the Northern NSW Local Heath District have organised free webinars on how to talk to young people vaping and supporting them to quit.

The Clarence Valley Independent has received reports from people working in local schools about primary school children as young as eight, having vapes confiscated at school.

According to a Alcohol and Drug Foundation national survey in 2022, 66 per-cent of participants aged 13 to 19 had tried vaping, and 14 per-cent of respondents aged 15 to 30 are currently using a vape. 

A recent NSW Heath commissioned study, conducted by the University of Wollongong found vapes, or e-cigarettes, contain nicotine, some at levels much higher than ordinary cigarettes, and other harmful chemicals.

The study, which used 428 vapes seized from retailers and 322 vapes surrendered by students at Sydney high schools, found 97.5 per-cent of vaping devices confiscated at high schools did not have nicotine listed as an active ingredient.

Of more concern was 30 of the devices in the study contained at least one harmful substance, including toxic chemicals like ethylene glycol, found in vehicle antifreeze, which are banned by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in legal, nicotine containing prescription vapes.

On May 2, 2023, amidst a growing youth vaping epidemic, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced a world-first ban in Australia on non-prescription vaping.

Associate Director, North Coast Population and Public Health and North Coast Vaping Taskforce Co-Chair, Robin Auld said the webinars are designed to give parents and carers the tools and information to tackle vaping.

“Throughout the North Coast Vaping Taskforce consultations, we’ve heard from community groups, parents and schools that many teachers, students, carers and parents don’t know what’s in these vapes, and that they can be harmful,” Mr Auld said.

“97.5 per cent of e-cigarettes confiscated from students in this study contained nicotine, which has the potential to lead to nicotine poisoning or dependence.

“For young people, nicotine can cause changes to brain development, impaired learning and memory, and may worsen stress, depression and anxiety.”

The study also found products with identical packaging were found to both contain nicotine and be nicotine free, and there was strong evidence that non-smoker teens who use vapes or e-cigarettes are three times more likely to smoke traditional tobacco cigarettes.

The free webinars will be held from 12.30pm to 1.30pm on Wednesday, December 6, and from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Thursday, December 14.

To register visit https://healthupnorth.info/vapingparentwebinars 

People with concerns about vaping can also call Quitline counsellors on 13 78 48.