School campaign to tackle vaping
A new campaign will take place in Ayrshire schools aimed at tackling vaping.
According to the Scottish Health and Wellbeing Census, more than 40 per cent of children and teenagers now say they’ve tried vapes by the time they reach S4. School staff across Scotland are reporting reduced attendance as youngsters gather to vape in toilets throughout the school day.
To help tackle the issue, the Scottish Government has launched a ‘Take Hold’ campaign which encourages and supports teachers to have conversations with pupils about the serious health risks associated with the pastime.
The campaign also offers advice for parents about talking to their child about vaping.
Public Health Minister, Jenni Minto, said: “Smoking damages lives and kills more than 8,000 people a year in Scotland and is a burden on our NHS and social care services. Research also suggests that almost one in five adolescents have tried vaping.
“While E-cigarettes are one of a range of tools for adult smokers to quit smoking, they should never be used by young people or adult non-smokers. We must take action to prevent young people from using vapes and becoming addicted which will damage their health, and that’s why we launched a marketing campaign. It is much easier to never start than it is to give up.”
Allie Cherry-Byrnes, CEO of Fast Forward, a voluntary education organisation, said: “We know from speaking to schools and parents during our vaping workshops that schools have seen a notable increase of vaping among pupils recently. The nicotine addiction associated with vaping can affect pupils’ ability to concentrate in school and schools are also seeing a negative impact on attendance.
“The campaign resources are a useful tool for teachers as they continue to speak to pupils about vaping and help young people understand the health risks involved.”