A Webinar for Parents with Paul Dillon
At Chisholm, through our Pastoral Care Programmes and Health Curriculum we continue to raise the awareness of vaping and the dangers surrounding e-cigarettes. On 23 August, students in Year 10-12 and all staff were addressed by Paul Dillon. Paul has worked in the drug education field for almost 25 years. He is the Director and founder of DARTA and he is passionate about ensuring that the community has access to accurate and up-to-date alcohol and other drug information.
Our Parent Engagement Group has requested that we re-share important information and resources on vaping with our parent community. As such, parents interested in obtaining more information are invited to explore the below webinar on vaping. In addition to the webinar, there are several links below with facts on vaping from the WA Schools Anti-Vaping Toolkit.
Vaping (the use of electronic cigarettes – e-cigarettes or ‘vapes’) continues to be an issue that attracts a great deal of attention as well as debate across the country. Vaping is a new phenomenon, with the first e-cigarette being invented in 2003. As a result, many parents have little or no experience with the issue as the devices simply weren’t around when they were in their teens.
This session will examine what we currently know about the use of e-cigarettes and vaping amongst Australian school-based young people. This is an area that is constantly changing and parents attempting to make sense of the information provided by both the ‘pro-vaping’ and ‘anti-vaping’ lobbies may find it extremely difficult to navigate. As we move towards the end of the school year parents are likely to need as much assistance as possible.
Cost: $25 plus GST
This event will be live-streamed but, for those unable to attend live, a recording of the event will also be made available for a period following the event’s conclusion.
To register for the event please go to the following link: https://events.humanitix.com/teen-vaping-an-update-for-parents?_ga=2.18745392.80608819.1666043659-467732293.1627864130
Please note that this webinar is not organised by Booked Out so please use the links above for more information.
The biggest misunderstanding about vapes is that they are harmless compared to cigarettes. This is not true. Vapes are not safe.
VAPING FACTS
- Many vapes contain nicotine making them very addictive.
- The nicotine in 1 vape can equal 50 cigarettes.
- Vapes can contain the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray. They just don’t put it on the pack.
- Vapes can leave young people at increased risk of depression and anxiety.
- Young people who vape are 3 times as likely to take up smoking cigarettes.
- Vape aerosol is not water vapour.
- Vaping has been linked to serious lung disease.
- Vapes that contain nicotine can cause long-lasting negative effects on young people’s brain development.
SIGNS YOUR CHILD MIGHT BE VAPING
Tell-tale signs that your child might have started vaping include the symptoms of nicotine addiction such as feeling irritable or anxious.
THE LAWS AROUND SELLING VAPES
It is reported that young people often purchase vapes online, from retail stores or from friends and contacts in the community. However, it is illegal in WA to sell e-cigarette devices and nicotine vaping products to anyone regardless of age, unless they are prescribed by a doctor for smoking cessation purposes and obtained with a prescription from a pharmacy.
In WA e-cigarette devices and their components, whether they contain nicotine or not, cannot be sold by tobacco or general retailers. If you suspect someone is selling vapes or e-cigarettes and their components, you can report it to the Department of Health by emailing TobaccoPolicy@health.wa.gov.au
TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT VAPING
Whether you suspect your child is vaping or not, take the time to talk to them about vaping and help them understand the risks. Try to start the conversation in a relaxed easy-going way, be patient, and remember your goal is to have a conversation, not deliver a lecture. Importantly, have your facts ready.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Get the evidence and facts at www.education.wa.edu.au/drug-education
Mrs Belinda Pietropaolo
Acting Deputy Principal – Wellbeing
