Teen Vaping in Schools: How to Identify, Address, and Combat Teenage Vaping

Vaping among children and young persons is on the rise, creating challenges for parents, teachers, and educators to ensure a safe and healthy environment. According to Action on Smoking and Health UK, 15.5% of 11-to-17-year-olds reported having tried vaping, with disposable e-cigarettes becoming especially popular. While some view vaping as a harmless trend or alternative to traditional smoking, the reality is far more concerning: nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Its effects on young users developing brains, coupled with easy access, the device of choice are disposable vapes being sky high in nicotine content - demanding greater awareness and prompt action.

This post highlights how schools can identify signs of vaping, understand its potential dangers, and implement effective strategies to deter such behaviour. Parents, teachers, and educators will also find valuable resources to support vaping cessation and educate students on the risks.

Recognising the Signs of Vaping in Teenagers

Vaping is far more discreet than smoking and has an almost undetectable smell afterwards, making it harder to detect. However, there are physical, behavioural, and environmental clues that can be picked up on to to prompt an open discussion on whether a chid or young person may be vaping.

Physical Symptoms

• Unusual scents: Although fairly odourless, vape liquids may leave a fruity or sweet smell that lingers on clothing or in rooms.
• Dry mouth and increased thirst: Vaping can cause dehydration due to the ingredients in e-liquids, such as propylene glycol, a 'carrier substance' for the nicotine.
• Frequent coughing and throat irritation: A persistent cough or complaints of a sore throat may be a clue to vaping.
• Mouth sores or dental issues: Vaping often irritates the mouth, leading to sores or an increase in oral health problems. These can often be detected by dentists also.
• Shifts in stamina and breathing: Reduced athletic performance or complaints of being short of breath could be another subtle sign.

Behavioural Changes

• Secrecy and withdrawal: Becoming more secretive, hiding devices or sneaking off to vape in private.
• Decreased focus in school: Nicotine addiction commonly affects cognitive performance and concentration, leading to worsening educational performance as a direct result on a young, developing brain. The brain continues to grown until aged 25!
• Change in peer groups: Sudden shifts in social circles may indicate new influences tied to vaping habits, to fit in and fall under the influence of peer pressure.

Environmental Indicators

• Unusual items: Look for unfamiliar objects like USB-shaped devices, small cartridges, or bottles labelled with fluid flavours.
• Clouds or residue: Vapour may leave behind wisps of mist or sticky film on windows and desks in indoor settings.

Be alert to any of these signs as a possible sign of vaping, and be use it as an opportunity to have an open, non-judgemental discussion. Even if they aren't vaping, it can still serve a useful purpose to educate them about the risks and deter them from taking up the ever growing habit.

The Dangers of Youth Vaping

Despite being a safer alternative to smoking, vaping carries its own risks. Here some significant factors schools, parents, and communities alike should be aware of:

Health Implications

1. Nicotine Addiction: The third most addictive drug behind heroin and cocaine, nicotine and can disrupt brain development - studies show regular use is implicated in cognitive dysfunction and learning difficulties.
2. Respiratory Problems: Vaping can cause inflammation in the lungs, land exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as asthma. The cases of 'popcorn lung', exclusively in the USA, have however been debunked as these were related to contaminated cannabis vapes and not nicotine.
3. Toxic Chemicals: Many vape liquids contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and acrolein.
4. Mental Health Illness: There’s an existing body of evidence linking mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, to smoking. This is as a result of the psychoactive component nicotine - the same drug in vapes, often in higher concentrations, and can therefore be translated across to vaping.

Harmful Marketing

Vaping manufacturers shamefully design flavours and colourful devices to attract young users, masking their harmful effects with playful branding and sweetness. Youths are often unaware of what they are inhaling, making education of crucial importance. This should hopefully be tackled soon in the UK with the passing of The Tobacco and Vapes Bill to crack down on an appalling tactic for their own greed at the expense of the health of our future generations.

Steps Schools Can Take to Detect and Deter Vaping

Schools are at the frontline of tackling the vaping trend. By implementing both detection tools and preventive measures, they can combat these issues effectively.

1. Educate Staff and Students

• Conduct training workshops that guide staff in spotting the signs of vaping.
• Include vaping education in health and well-being curriculums to highlight its health risks and debunk myths.
• There are several useful online resources for guidance, and some vaping awareness campaigners in the health and addiction sector are offering great services in conducting talks in schools, such as Mira Osinibi, a Paediatric Respiratory Nurse Specialist at King's College Hospital.

2. Use Detection Devices

• Invest in vape detectors for bathrooms and secluded areas. These devices function like smoke alarms but are designed to catch vapour exclusively, and trigger an alarm as to the location to a phone or computer so the child can be 'caught', and an opportunity arises to provide appropriate education and signposting to help. Such devices include VapeTech.
• Punitive measures: likely to make matters worse and should be used with caution, if at all.

3. Create Safe Reporting Systems

• Build an anonymous reporting system so students can report vaping incidents without fear of being penalised.
• Have a lead within your school responsible for such reporting and implementing actionable steps.

4. Review Policies

• Evaluate and update your school policies to address vaping explicitly. Clearly state consequences for vaping and explain the support available for those trying to quit.

5. Collaborate with Families

• Engage parents through regular communication and focus groups. Provide them with resources to talk to their teens about vaping at home, that can be found online from reputable sites.

6. Offer Cessation Support

• Partner with local healthcare services to provide educational sessions, signposting to help, and access to apps designed to help the quit vaping process.

Resources for Parents, Teachers, and Administrators

Several organisations and platforms provide valuable tools and support to help schools and families tackle teenage vaping effectively:

For Parents

• Canadian Lung Association: Offers a detailed guide on how to communicate with children about vaping and strategies to deter further use.
• Australian Authorities: Another dedicated resource offering education and advice, offering parental advice on speaking to your child. 

For Schools

• ASH: A brief guide on policy development for schools.
• The PSHE Association: Provides lesson plans and resources focused on the risks of vaping.

For Children and Young Adults

• MIND and Kooth: Mental Health Charities who have kindly offered their services to be signposted to for any psychological symptoms related to vaping use or withdrawal. Find some free downloadable resources kindly provided on our Resources page.
• We Are With You: A UK charity offering free, confidential advice to young people about substance use, including vaping.

Encourage students, staff, and families to make use of these resources together. Combatting vaping requires a collaborative effort, where everyone comes together to prioritise the health and well-being of the youth of today.

Early Action Matters in the Fight Against Vaping

Vaping amongst children and young adults is a growing concern in schools across the UK, but early detection and intervention hold the key to managing it effectively. This is certainly not a problem unique to the UK, but on the global rise. Recognising the signs, understanding the risks, and fostering open conversations are all critical steps in overcoming the fight against vaping.

Schools, parents, and teachers have a united role to play in creating an environment that discourages vaping while providing support to those who struggle with it. By adapting proactive measures — from education to cessation programs — you can empower students to make healthier choices and protect their long-term health.

Let's do this together.