High School takes action on vaping

In May this year the Federal Government moved to remove all single use, disposable vapes from retail sale and to stop the vaping industry from targeting young people with enticing flavours, colourful packaging, and digital marketing.

In theory vapes are only available through a doctor’s prescription, but that hasn’t stopped the sale of vapes that have been deliberately designed to appeal to children, with attractive flavours and colourful pictures and lettering.

“It’s a problem that’s crept up and swamped schools,” Ms. Pedrochi said.

In 2019, 11 per cent of 14-to-25 year olds had tried vaping, by 2020 it was 32 per cent, and by 22 it had grown to 48 per cent, she said.

She added that the Southwest was not alone with the problem.

“It’s world-wide,” she said.

Yet despite the dangers, many parents seem relatively unaware of the risks.

Ms. Pedrochi said that while 80 per cent of parents talk to their children about drugs, just 40 per cent talk to them about vaping, a far more prevalent health threat.