The NSW government recently committed to engaging with schools to address the issue of vaping in children & to reinforce the crucial role played by GPs as the initial point for assistance with vaping cessation.
On November 16, 2023, the NSW government staged a roundtable with education stakeholders to examine solutions for youth vaping, emphasising the significance of primary care intervention.
The roundtable included representatives from Cancer Council NSW, NSW Health, the Advocate for Children and Young People, students, school principals and other school representatives.
Various actions were proposed at the roundtable, including the creation of a vaping guide to assist teachers with helping students to quit; a curriculum update to better address the dangers of vaping; creation of an online support platform for students, and the development of better referral pathways between schools and community services.
“Vaping among young people is a community-wide issue that is only increasing in its negative impact,” said the NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning, The Hon. Prue Car MP.
“They smell like fruit, many of them, and they look like little highlighters, but they are dangerous.”
As per recent data shared by Associate Professor Becky Freeman from the University of Sydney on behalf of the Generation Vape and Cancer Council NSW, 90 per cent of teenagers aged 14 to 17 years have experimented with an e-cigarette or vape.
According to NSW Minister for Health, The Hon. Ryan Park MP, in a proactive move to address this escalating public health crisis, the NSW government has increased compliance efforts, and enhanced cessation support for young individuals as interim measure.
“Vapes can have harmful impacts, especially on young people’s growing brains and bodies, and we will continue to crack down on retailers who illegally sell nicotine vapes,” Minister Park said.
“Ask any parent, and they will tell you that these products are persuasive. We are determined to get in front of this growing public health crisis.”.
NSW Health has developed a vaping toolkit and campaign to help parents, schools and community services to improve community awareness of the public health issue, and to encourage young people to quit vaping.
“We know that RACGP is updating its guidance on how to approach the circumstances of vape addiction, and what would be the appropriate models,” said NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, Sydney.
Additional government funding has been allocated to better tailor Quitline to younger people, given the limited engagement with this group to date.
The NSW Government’s work will complement other measures introduced by the Federal Government, including the commitment to restrict the sale of vaping products.