Dear parents and carers,
Electronic Cigarette use (Vaping)
Students should not be vaping or using any other harmful substances that can have a negative effect on their development, and impact their ability to learn and thrive.
The role of the school is to ensure that students understand the impacts, and schools play an integral role in educating young Western Australians to make choices that keep them healthy and safe. This also includes responding to harmful and illegal activities, including vaping.
When students breach school expectations associated with harmful activities such as vaping, a consequence will be applied. There will also be support offered so that individuals can consider making informed changes through further awareness raising of the potential risks of their behaviours. All public schools teach age-appropriate drug education that helps students make smarter choices. School staff have access to additional support to do this through School Drug Education and Road Aware (SDERA) comprehensive professional learning programs and resources.
E-Cigarettes and the law as it relates to States across Australia– is it legal?
|
|
Nicotine E-cigarette |
Non-Nicotine E-cigarette |
Both |
||||
| Sale / Purchase | Use | Sale / Purchase | Age restriction | Use | Restrictions on where they can be used | Advertising | |
| VIC | No | Yes | Yes | 18+ | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSW | No | Yes | Yes | 18+ | Yes | Yes | No |
| QLD | No | Yes | Yes | 18+ | Yes | Yes | No |
| WA | No | No | No | – | No | – | No |
| SA | No | Yes | Yes | 18+ | Yes | Yes | No |
| NT | No | Yes | Yes | 18+ | Yes | Yes | No |
| ACT | No | No | Yes | 18+ | Yes | Yes | No |
| TAS | No | Yes | Yes | 18+ | Yes | Yes | No |
Reference source: Alcohol and Drug Foundation – E-Cigarettes
The School and Department Behaviour Management Policy and Guidelines outline the approach taken to breaches of this type that fall into the category of an “Illegal Substance” in Western Australia.
The specific matter of Vaping also falls under the Department of Education Occupational Safety and Health Policy and Guidelines as smoking and associated behaviours are prohibited on a Government site i.e. Department of Education sites.
Further information can be sourced at:
· Department of Health WA: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) (healthywa.wa.gov.au)
· Medicines and Poisons Act 2014
· Tobacco Products Control Act 2006
· School Drug Education and Road Aware (SDERA)
· Alcohol and Drug Foundation – E-Cigarettes / https://adf.org.au/
· Department of Education/Policies
Further Australia wide information to parents and students on this topic is also available at School TV Report https://australind.wa.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-vaping-au
DOMENIC CAMERA
PRINCIPAL
10 October 2021
