Schools in South Africa are bringing in sniffer dogs and respiratory health experts to crack down on the use of vapes among teenagers as the government moves to bring the largely unregulated industry to heel.<\/p>\n
According to The Sunday Times<\/a><\/strong>, several private and former model-C schools in the country are going to somewhat extreme lengths to bring vaping under control.<\/p>\n Schools have reported widespread use of vaping products by children, even during school hours, reportedly supported by their parents who purchase vapes and related products for the children as gifts.<\/p>\n In addition to a tougher stance and measures like using drug sniffer dogs to find devices, schools are also trying to educate teens about the potential harms of using such products by bringing in the experts to talk to learners – much like the ‘drug talks’ many speakers are already invited to give.<\/p>\n The paper said that the harsh crackdown comes in light of recent studies and surveys conducted in South Africa which show that vapes are being used widely by children in schools who are forming addictive patterns.<\/p>\n A recent study by Professor Richard van Zyl-Smit at UCT found that vaping has gained popularity as an alternative to traditional cigarettes but has also emerged as a trendy habit among younger generations.<\/p>\n The report studied the vaping habits of over 5,500 high school students from several high-income schools and found that over 25% of matric learners use vaping devices.<\/p>\n Furthermore, almost 30% of respondents reported using their vaping device within an hour of waking, and almost a quarter cannot go through a school day without vaping.<\/p>\n A more recent study cited by the Sunday Times by the University of Pretoria revealed a similar pattern, with teenagers being particularly susceptible to advertising of these products and following their curiosity around them.<\/p>\n Schools themselves have also done studies, the paper said, with some surveying their learners and finding that larger numbers of them vape regularly – even being unable to go through the day without them.<\/p>\n Unregulated – for now<\/strong><\/p>\n Vaping products are not covered by the Tobacco Products Control Act or the Medicines Act and are largely unregulated.<\/p>\n New legislation to regulate the industry is currently in the pipeline, with the \u00a0Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0currently being processed.<\/p>\n The vaping industry has tried to position itself as \u201cnot smoking\u201d and wants to distance itself from harmful tobacco and cigarettes.<\/p>\n Vaping involves inhaling from a device that vaporizes liquid solutions that may contain nicotine and other substances. According to the UK\u2019s NHS, health experts generally agree that\u00a0vaping is far less harmful than smoking<\/a><\/strong>, but it is not risk-free.<\/p>\n Medical guidelines are that vaping is not recommended for non-smokers and young people as it can carry risks for healthy lungs. However, for smokers, it can be beneficial in helping them quit smoking.<\/p>\n The long-term effects of vaping on health remain untested, and the Department of Health has argued that the coming laws and push to clamp down on the industry are driven by the goal of protecting children from potential harm.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the government is also moving to come down harder on the industry. From 1 June, nicotine-substitute solutions, including vaping products, will be included in the tax net with a flat excise duty rate of R2.90\/ml.<\/p>\n Manufacturers were required to apply for and obtain licenses for their manufacturing premises in respect of such products with SARS before 1 June 2023 and will have to submit their first excise duty account by 28 July 2023.<\/p>\n The new tax has been met with widespread condemnation from the vaping industry, arguing that the tax will do more harm than good \u2013 pushing consumers to illicit markets \u2013 and jumps the gun as legislation governing vaping products in the country are yet to be promulgated.<\/p>\n Players in the vaping space have argued that the new taxes could more than double prices in some cases, feeding consumers to the black market.<\/p>\n
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