The Victorian education system has introduced new teaching resources aimed at educating students on the dangers of vaping. The materials are integrated with the curriculum but will not be mandatory. They allow teachers to incorporate the anti-vaping message into various subjects, including physical education, or conduct dedicated lessons on the risks associated with e-cigarettes. The goal is to help students recognize marketing tactics used by the industry, understand the health impacts of vaping, and resist peer pressure to try e-cigarettes.
The education packs were developed in collaboration with Monash University, government health and education authorities, as well as the Catholic and private education sectors. The hope is that these resources will replicate the success of a similar initiative aimed at year 7 and 8 students that was launched last year and downloaded by thousands of teachers across the state. Health promotion officer Alexandra Bell from Ballarat Community Health believes that having these resources available will be helpful in primary prevention efforts and in removing the curiosity associated with vaping among young people.
Education Minister Ben Carroll and acting Health Minister Ingrid Stitt have both expressed their support for the new teaching resources. They believe that by educating students about the dangers of vaping from an early age, they can help them make healthier choices and avoid succumbing to peer pressure during their secondary school years. Meanwhile, British American Tobacco (BAT) and Philip Morris Australia, two leading players in the lawful vape market, have been contacted for comment on the initiative. BAT did not respond, while Philip Morris declined to provide a statement.
The issue of vaping in schools has become a growing concern, with school principals resorting to tactics like rostering teachers to monitor toilets during breaks to prevent students from vaping. Teenage vape dealers have been reported as common fixtures in schoolyards, and some students have found it difficult to get through long exams without suffering from nicotine withdrawal. The new teaching resources aim to address these challenges by providing educators with the tools they need to educate students on the risks of vaping, help them identify marketing strategies used by the industry, and equip them with skills to resist peer pressure.
According to Anderson, the teaching materials also cover the health impacts of vaping and ways to help young people resist peer pressure. The resources were developed with input from various stakeholders and are designed to be flexible for teachers to adapt to their specific needs. Bell believes that having resources for year 5 and 6 students will be particularly helpful in primary prevention efforts, as many young people are initially drawn to vaping out of curiosity. By providing them with knowledge about the risks associated with e-cigarettes, the hope is to take away that curiosity and discourage them from trying vaping in the first place.
Overall, the introduction of these new teaching resources is seen as a positive step in addressing the issue of vaping among young people in Victoria. By educating students about the dangers of vaping early on, providing them with information on marketing tactics used by the industry, and empowering them to make informed choices, the aim is to reduce the prevalence of vaping among youth and help create a healthier generation of Victorians. With the support of key government officials and health professionals, it is hoped that these resources will have a positive impact on students across the state.
