Public Health Wales issues new guidance for secondary schools to tackle vaping

Public Health Wales has today unveiled a comprehensive guidance for secondary schools, aiming to address the rising concern of vaping amongst students.

The move comes after startling figures from the School Health Research Network reveal that one in five young people between year 7 to year 11 have experimented with vaping.

Furthermore, 5% of secondary school pupils admit to vaping at least once a week.

The Health and Well-being module, a mandatory part of the new Curriculum for Wales, will now provide opportunities to introduce learning about vaping and its devices.

This will be incorporated within the broader substance misuse education, ensuring that students are informed about the potential health implications of vaping.

Moreover, the guidance encourages schools to extend their smoking and behavioural policies, incorporating measures to combat the increasing trend of vaping.

Schools are advised to collaborate with learners, staff, and the wider school community to effectively develop these policies.

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles said: ” No one under 18 should be vaping. Schools are telling us this is a real issue, whether it’s because of peer pressure, colourful marketing targeted at children or a lack of understanding of the potential health risks. I hope this new guidance will help pupils understand the impact of vaping so they can make the right decisions.

“Our new curriculum gives teachers the flexibility to adapt their lessons to suit issues and challenges facing their pupils this should include learning about the health and well-being impacts of vaping. All secondary schools are now teaching this curriculum to years 7 and 8, and this resource will support all secondary school pupils.”

The Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle said:

“Vapes have no place in the hands of children and young people and supporting people to have a smoke-free childhood is a priority.

“Giving our young people the tools they need to stay healthy is an important way we can help them to improve their health and wellbeing. This guidance will help schools to highlight the health risks of vaping and support young people who may be addicted and wish to stop.”

Dr Julie Bishop, Director of Health Improvement at Public Health Wales, said:

“Our work with the multi-agency incident response group has highlighted significant new challenges that our education settings are experiencing when responding to vaping among young people in Wales. We hope this comprehensive guidance will provide the first step in supporting education staff in addressing this growing issue.”