Vaping having "significant" impact in schools

New research by the University of Stirling has found vaping is having a "significant" impact on schools across Scotland.

Pupils reported leaving lessons and missing classes to vape or use nicotine pouches.

Staff say some young people are showing signs of nicotine addiction.

The study was carried out jointly by the University of Stirling and the Scottish Centre for Social Research.

Dr Allison Ford, Associate Professor at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health (ISMH), and Principal Investigator of the New Nicotine Products (NNPs) in Scotland study, said: “Pupils reported widespread use of NNPs, such as vapes and nicotine pouches, and missed classes and played truant because they were using these products in a variety of places, including school toilets, and outside school grounds. A few pupils felt they were addicted to nicotine and reported adverse health effects.

“School staff adopted a range of approaches to address the issue, including regular patrols and sweeps of school areas, monitoring toilet facilities, and visiting neighbourhood shops to encourage more robust retail practices. They are also confiscating vapes and issuing exclusions or detentions for their use.

“However, staff said they have limited knowledge of vapes and nicotine pouches and felt less confident addressing the risks, compared with tobacco-related teaching. They called for more resources to support teaching about the risks of nicotine use among young people.”