When they enter the dark alley of Smokeville

GEORGE NEWS - Vaping among learners, some still in primary school, is a reality. Parents talk about it, authorities talk about it and learners talk about it. And, while government is gearing up to tackle the issue, kids compare different flavours and "tjoef" behind school walls.

"Schools manage this internally and don't necessarily report it to the WCED," said Bronagh Hammond, director of communication for the Western Cape Education Department.

"However, it has been made clear in engagements with principals that the possession of vapes in schools by learners is prevalent."

Hammond said the use of e-cigarettes/vaping in schools is not governed by specific regulations, due to the lack of regulation at a national level.

"However, schools classify the use and possession of e-cigarettes as the same as tobacco cigarettes in terms of banned substances on school property."

She said while the Safe Schools reports indicate that there have been five cases of e-cigarettes possession or use on schools between Jan and Sept 2022, compared to one single case in the same period last year, these stats are not generally an accurate reflection of the use and possession of e-cigarettes in schools.

"Therefore, the ages and extent of 'vape' use in schools is not necessarily reported," said Hammond.

"We are aware that many of these cases do go unreported and are dealt with by the SGB in terms of their school code of conduct. This generally results in a sanction, which varies from school to school. School Governing Bodies are encouraged to ensure that the use of e-cigarettes/vapes is considered in their codes of conduct, if they have not already done so."

District communications officer for the WC Department of Health Nadia Ferreira said although the department does not monitor nor report on the use of e-cigarettes, they discourage the use of both tobacco and e-cigarettes, as e-cigarettes may be as harmful as tobacco cigarettes as both contain chemicals and there may be harmful effects associated with both.

Seven out of 10 South Africans start smoking before the age of 18. Photo: Pexels

E-cigarettes

Sandton Chronicle's article "Vaping among South Africa's youth: A ticking time bomb" (23 November 2022) by journalist Liryn de Jager discusses the harmful effect of vaping and the national government's plans to regulate e-cigarettes.

Dr Sharon Nyatsanza, the deputy director of the National Council Against Smoking, told Sandton Chronicle that e-cigarettes are undoubtedly harmful: "Young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke regular cigarettes and use other drugs in the future. Seven out of 10 South Africans start smoking before the age of 18. It is clear that regulation is needed to protect the health of children and every other person."

The article refers to research by the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research, in co-operation with the University of Pretoria and the South African Medical Research Council, which indicates that 39% of vape shops in the country are within a 10km radius of a university or college campus and 65,3% within a 20km radius.

Sandton Chronicle also refers to a study by Prof Richard van Zyl-Smit of the University of Cape Town, released in November this year, which included more than 5 500 high school learners.

The study revealed that three out of 10 learners use their electronic smoking device within an hour of waking up, nearly a quarter cannot get through a school day without vaping, and more than one in four matrics are vaping.

The good news is that e-cigarettes and vaping devices are facing tighter regulations in the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill that has been submitted to parliament.

"When signed into law, it will give Health Minister Joe Phaahla the power to define certain aspects of e-cigarettes and vaping devices, including the content, composition, ingredients, additives, colourants, characterised flavour and emissions of the relevant product. National Treasury has also proposed an excise tax on vaping products, which is set to take effect early next year," reads the article.

According to Nyatsanza, the Tobacco Control Bill strikes a much-needed balance, with adults still being able to buy and use e-cigarettes, while more restrictions will be put in place to dissuade the youth from smoking.

The use of e-cigarettes/vaping in schools is not governed by specific regulations, due to the lack of regulation at national level. Photo: Pexels

Public opinion

George Herald asked the public to share their comments on vaping youths on our social platforms. A total of 74 Facebook comments were received, voicing an array of opinions, and more comments followed on messenger and WhatsApp, sharing private information on real struggles within real family homes.

One mom said vaping is a massive issue and needs to be tackled at both primary and high school levels. "I have approached the Garden Route Mall numerous times about the 11- to 16-year-old kids that hang out in groups in the disabled and family toilets to vape and do drugs… my 15-year-old daughter has been involved too and it's shocking how many parents either don't know or simply don't care… there's vaping and drugs (edibles) going round at school and kids are being caught but not disciplined because the teachers and school heads are too scared!!! Parents need a serious wake up call!!!"

The ages and extent of vape use in schools is not necessarily reported. Photo: Unsplash

OPINION POLL: Readers share their thoughts on kids who puff away

Hilda Lourens: The really sad thing about this is the discrepancies in our legislation. It says children may not buy, but nowhere does it say they are not allowed to smoke.

Annelize Booysen Grimmbacher: I'm speaking under correction here, but apparently there is one high school with a vape room, confirmed by kids and parents… vaping is much worse than actual smoking a cigarette.

Bevan Armstrong: All these dark, bad habits starts with small things that might seem insignificant. Children nowadays convince their parents of a lot of things, and parents don't have the ability to distinguish so they fall for it, for instance:

1. No it's only vaping, soon that child is seen smoking cigarettes.
2. No it's only okay - flavours and smell nice, soon that same flavours is mixed with dagga.
3. No it's only a cider, soon it's beers, brandy, whiskey, etc.

This is how it all started and it eventually ends up in a social problem. Parents allow their children all these small, insignificant, trivial things that will one day come back and bite us. BE AWARE.

Cammy Julies: The children are influenced by social media and older generations, unless you're able to stop the children from seeing the rest of the worlds population making it "cool". The truth is they won't stop and telling them that they can't and shouldn't will just make them do it more, if you've allowed it up until this point. It's the job of parents to be more aware of what their children are doing and be PARENTS.

Glenda Rademan: Smoking is bad... period. I started smoking cigarettes at the age of 13. Yes we smoked behind the school buildings, hoping not to get caught. I smoked for 43 years. When the electronic devices appeared on the market I ignored it. One day I decided to do some research. In Britain their National Health Insurance was actually encouraging hospitals to offer smokers vapes instead of them smoking, as it was easier to quit if you were vaping instead of cigarette smoking. So I approached the kiosk in the mall and was able to find a liquid that would give me the same level of satisfaction as my cigarettes had been giving me. Well, I quit cigarette smoking 8 years ago and even my doctors were impressed by the difference it made to my health. Some liquids are dangerous because the wrong substances are used to mix them. Reputable brands are not the problem. Nicotine, which is the dependency causing substance is still there, but there are also some liquids with 0% nicotine.

As I said in the beginning any form of smoking is unhealthy, but I would rather have someone vaping next to me than someone smoking cigarettes. The liquids and devices are safe IF THEY ARE LEGIT.

Jacques Heineman: As a vape shop owner we are here to give a healthier way for smokers to stop smoking, the problem comes when they are not asked for their ID document. Nicotine is not for sale for under 18 and it should stay that way. The point states that if you sell anything that has age restrictions, asking ID documents should be mandatory.

Derrick Michael de Goede: Kinners leer met hul oë, nie hul ore.

Kurt Yeo: It is concerning that the youth have access to these products. Just as concerning is where these products are found, and the fact that parents either allow them or even purchase them for their kids. The intention of vaping was to help people who smoke quit or have access to safer alternatives, not for nicotine naive youth. Unfortunately, like most things in life we have bad actors that take full advantage of the situation and groups of people that seek scapegoats. The solution in my view is quite simple. Introduce basic regulations that prevent the sale of vaping products to anybody under the age of 18. Implement a retail licensing model like alcohol and enforce it. Unfortunately, our government has been sitting on a bill since 2018 that goes too far, which has caused this massive loophole. If they had listen to experts in the field and industry we could have had legislation that would have prevented this.

Caleb Puren: If I may ask, are we going to talk about the drugs, cigarettes, alcohol and psychedelics to which these underage kids are also exposed to? Not to mention the use of deodorant spray to get high on as well by school kids…

René Marais: They vape cannibis too.

Nicole Klopper: I have a nephew that's vaping without his parents' knowledge. He always hinted to me to hide his stuff so his parents don't find out... He even went to lengths to ask me to go buy him disposables.. I did not as he is just in Grade 8.

Elsie Blaauw: In Reigerpark van ouderdom 7 af... ons kan net bid vir hulle... 'n dametjie het gesê sy's nog nie addicted nie... ons as ouers moet openlik met ons kids praat oor dwelms en alkohol misbruik...

Open letter by teenager: Stop vaping, before it's too late

I'm a 14-year-old boy I was in Langen-hoven Gimnasium in Oudtshoorn. The story about vaping is a very difficult story to talk about, but I vaped and the biggest reason for under aged vaping is that children are sometimes under severe pressure from their parents, but as for me, I just wanted to get the feeling, and what the big deal is, but luckily, I did not become addicted and did not struggle to STOP. I managed to stop before I got addicted.

It was with the help of my friends and family that I learned that it is not healthy for children so, if I could give advice, STOP whilst we are still young and know nothing about what the future may hold for us and maybe just maybe it can save your life.

Here are some of the reasons why children start vaping:

1) They think it's COOL but it's "comment";

2) They are sometimes under peer pressure and start vaping;

3) They want to be in the title of trying to seem to be a cool kid.

4) Why is vaping bad for teens? - Vaping is bad for teens because it can cause extreme nicotine addiction, loss of concentration, lung illness, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and damage to the immune system.