Vaping in schools - is this an epidemic?

GEORGE NEWS - The surge in vaping's popularity, partly fuelled by its glamorisation online, is leading children and young adults to emulate what they see on social media.

Celebrities flaunting vapes on Instagram or TikTok can influence impressionable minds. Though sneaking a smoke at school isn't new, the shift to e-cigarettes has altered the game.

What begins as peer pressure and following trends escalates into addiction, because of the nicotine (an addictive chemical) present in most vaping devices. For some, misplacing a vape induces panic similar to losing one's phone or wallet, signalling an unhealthy dependency on the USB-shaped devices.

"Nicotine is extremely addictive and e-cigarettes deliver a lot of it: One pod of liquid contains the nicotine equivalent of an entire pack of cigarettes," writes Psychology Today.

Stressful school environments only exacerbate the issue, with vaping becoming a norm among learners as a form of stress relief or wanting to fit in with their peers.

"Vaping started off due to peer pressure but most say it's a stress reliever and some vape for fun," said a Grade 12 learner in an interview with George Herald.

Two Grade 8 learners said at their school, it's a case of being cool. "If the girls see the boys [vaping], they'll also start vaping. If the boys think the girls are cool for vaping, they join in."

Vape pods, cleverly disguised as earphone cases or highlighters, are easily concealed in school bags. To get that daily flavoured nicotine satisfaction, learners vape during breaks, particularly in bathrooms (prompting some schools to install cameras), and even during class time if they're brave enough. Secret vaping spots emerge to avoid authority figures and the consequences that follow, but in some cases, learners simply do not care.

"They think the teachers can't do [anything to] them; it's their money, their parents know," elaborated the Grade 8s.

Many schools are cracking down on the issue, viewing vaping as a youth epidemic. One school sent a letter of concern to the parents to inform them of the health risks and how vaping is a huge addiction concern.

"A doctor who was a member of our governing body and the chairperson for the disciplinary committee, spoke to parents and learners regarding the health risk and addiction concerns of vaping," said the school's representative.

"We are of the opinion that parents are all informed with regard to the dangers of vaping. In Life Orientation the teachers also emphasised all the concerns above."

Disciplinary steps include confiscation, detention and/or suspension, depending on the school's Code of Conduct. One school enforces eight-hour community service for learners caught in the act, and strict disciplinary hearings may follow for serious offences. But reprimanding at home does little to end vaping, especially if parents use vapes themselves.

The Western Cape Department of Health has reported public complaints that mirror the complaints of non-vaping learners, who say the always-present smoke irritates their eyes and throats.

"For this reason, the Western Cape Department of Health discourages the use of both tobacco and e-cigarettes - as e-cigarettes may be as harmful as tobacco cigarettes, as both contain chemicals which may lead to harmful effects associated with both," said the department's district spokesperson, Nadia Ferreira.

Vaping disrupts the learning environment, with teachers forced to address it during class time.

"Vaping increases bunking because students will be in the bathrooms for long periods. It increases conflict when vapes are found on students. Students that usually vape don't perform well in their academics because their focus is on other things, such as vaping," explains another Grade 12 learner.

Educational talks and police involvement have been brought in to deter students, yet the allure of vaping persists. The misconception that vapes are nicotine-free remains solid, further pushing the appeal.

The Grade 8 learners interviewed asked their friends whether this was truly safe; their friends replied that they don't really care - to their minds, it's not the same as a normal cigarette.

Vapes are readily available in malls, corner shops and online (even though some sites have age verifications in place before purchasing), further normalising their use.

"Our biggest concern is the shops in town that sell the vapes to the learners and we have reported it to Safe Schools in the District Office. Therefore, the shops are not enforcing the law," added another school.

But despite various efforts, vaping remains a pervasive issue among the youth and not just in schools - outside in public spaces, you're likely to encounter a teen with a vape gripped tightly between their lips and having their hundredth pull of the day.

Vape pods or pens are small enough to be hidden in school bags, and are often cleverly disguised as highlighters or earphone cases.