Debate contribution: Vaping: Dangers to Children

Debate contribution by Mr David Brooks on 22 October 2024.

MLA

Mr David Brooks

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

22 October 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Vaping: Dangers to Children

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4608558

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Vaping is clearly, as we have heard, a growing issue across our society. I am not a smoker or a vaper, but, in engaging in the discussion, I think that it is important to do so honestly and rationally and to recognise that, while, in general, all substance addiction is harmful and should be actively discouraged, evidence suggests that, relatively speaking, vapes are significantly less harmful than cigarettes, which were, I suspect, more prevalent in the school years of most Members in the Chamber. We all know of smokers who have used vapes to stop smoking. Where they are used in that way, they can be a positive. That having been said, addiction is not where anyone should want to be. The motion is, of course, specifically about our schools, and we do not wish to promote or facilitate addiction to any substance among our children and young people, who, clearly, do not begin as smokers. Our schools, which should be places of learning and growth, have seen a rise in students using e-cigarettes. In 2022, one in five 11- to 16-year-olds who responded to the young persons' behaviour and attitudes survey reported having used a vape, which represents a rise of 2% since 2016. Some 6% said that they had vaped more than once a week, a doubling of the equivalent number in the same period. That trend is, of course, of concern. While the habit may be less toxic than using cigarettes, it is not difficult to see why vapes, with their wide range of flavours, may appear more attractive to students — we have heard that already — and lack some of the stigma that underage smoking carried in the past. That is at the heart of efforts to restrict flavours and better regulate the industry. Research has shown that, unsurprisingly, the range of flavours and colours acts as a hook for young people in particular. We know that nicotine can impair cognitive function and memory, which is the opposite of what we want for our teenagers as their brains are still developing, least of all in our schools, which are tasked with teaching children and encouraging them to reach their full potential. We know that the vapour in many e-cigarettes contains harmful chemicals. I will not try to pronounce their names, but they are known to cause lung injuries and heart damage. There have been efforts in other countries to combat the growing prevalence of vaping in schools. In Australia, the Government have enforced strict regulations on vaping products, making it harder for minors to access them, and schools have adopted strong anti-vaping education programmes that highlight the physical dangers of vaping and also address the psychological impact of addiction. Students are engaged in discussion to promote healthy living and decision-making, and schools have installed vape detectors in bathrooms to monitor and curb that activity in real time. Canada has restricted advertisement and flavours of vape products through measures similar to those being considered in the UK. The Not An Experiment campaign, which is aimed at educating students about the dangers of vaping, has been implemented in schools nationwide. I looked at the Physical and Health Education Canada website earlier today. It seems to be a useful resource to support public health messaging to young people. I must acknowledge that our Public Health Agency (PHA) has developed something similar to support teachers, parents and others who work with children and, indeed, that the Department of Education has its Safer Schools NI app, which supports teachers, pupils, parents and carers on a range of safeguarding issues, including vaping. In other parts of the UK, schools are working with parents, local health services and police to encourage a joint approach against underage vaping. Involving families in the conversation encourages the reinforcement of anti-vaping messages at home. Importantly, that approach often also encourages those who have developed an addition to engage with counselling, health and other support to end their use. Sanctions may be appropriate, clearly, particularly where there are repeated instances, but we all want that to be proportionate, encouraging learning from mistakes and supporting behavioural change where there is addiction. The international examples show in particular what our amendment reinforces: reducing vaping in schools requires a multifaceted approach. Our schools have tools provided to them by the Department to assist them to meet their statutory requirements on substance abuse. It is a societal issue, however. It enters our schools from beyond their walls, and, whilst schools have always had a role in education about the dangers of substance abuse and addiction, addressing that cannot fall to them alone. We need a collegial approach and a strategy that includes stronger regulation, active education, parental involvement and health support for students who are already addicted. For that reason, I commend our amendment to the House.

812 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:28 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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