The Ministry of Education data from New Zealand has shown that more primary school students are being caught vaping or smoking at schools. The data revealed that in the previous year, more children in years 1 to 8 were temporarily suspended for these acts than those in years 9 to 13. Additionally, the total number of students of all ages suspended for vaping or smoking increased by 19 percent from the previous year.
Despite this increase in suspensions, a survey released pointed out that the daily vaping rates in certain age groups have increased, indicating a growing concern. An act from 1990 prohibits vaping in schools and educational facilities have implemented their own policies against the practice.
According to principals, vaping is a bigger issue than smoking. One principal described how some students were “severely addicted” to vaping and would openly vape in the classroom. The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation’s MÄori community liaison, Sharon Pihema, is concerned about children as young as eight years old becoming addicted to vaping. The foundationās CEO, Letitia Harding, worries about the increasing addiction among the youth and the lack of action being taken to address it.
New Zealand Principalsā Federation President Leanne Otene expressed concern over the issue, stating that they might need to take a “harder line” on the problem. Vape-Free Kids co-founder Tammy Downer accused the government of not taking the issue seriously. Paediatrician Dr. Colette Muir, representing the Paediatric Society of New Zealand, expressed extreme worry about the extent of youth vaping.
Education Minister Erica Stanford also expressed concern and emphasized the need for practical steps to help stop young people from starting smoking and vaping. Despite new regulations requiring vapes to have a removable battery, concerns remain as the change seems to have had little effect. A poll showed that more than two-thirds of New Zealanders wanted to adopt laws similar to those in Australia and make vapes available by prescription only.