Posters showing the harmful substances found in vapes - including nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray – will soon be displayed in all state high schools.

The posters are part of a new campaign hoping to curb the alarming prevalence of vaping among young people.

A letter from South Australia’s Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, will also be sent to parents and carers warning about the dangers of vaping.

The new campaign is aimed at preventing children taking up vaping and helping those who have to quit.

It comes as latest data from Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia shows a significant increase in vape use among young people.

It says the percentage of 15 to 29 year-olds using e-cigarettes daily, weekly, or less than weekly increased to 7.8 per cent in 2022, from 1.1 per cent in 2017.

SA Health is working with the Department for Education on a range of initiatives for schools, including information for students, teachers and parents and carers on the harms of vaping as well as the supports available.

All public schools have received copies of fact sheets for students, parents and families as well as access to new Curriculum Planning and Implementation Resources and funded vaping education programs.

All public high schools, including R-12, combined and area schools as well as all local education offices, have also received 10 hard-copy vaping danger posters to display, as well as electronic copies and fact sheets for students, parents and families. 

Materials will also be made available to Catholic and independent schools across the state and can be found online. http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/vaping.

Guidance for schools on how to manage vaping is also being strengthened.

In a letter to parents and carers this week, Professor Spurrier outlines the risks of children vaping. The majority of e-cigarettes contain nicotine and are addictive, with the nicotine in one e-cigarette equal to 50 or more cigarettes.

She says children with a nicotine dependency may have difficulties concentrating in class, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, frustration, anger and strong cravings to relieve symptoms with repeat nicotine exposure.

Professor Spurrier says there has been an increase in parents calling the Poisons Information line after finding young children have inhaled or ingested nicotine from e-cigarettes.

The Poisons Information Centre received 30 calls last year from South Australians about children under 5 being exposed to vape devices and liquids. This compares to 8 such calls in 2021, 3 in 2020, 10 in 2019 and 4 in 2018. In just the first three months of this year, 8 calls were received.

Investigations into these products show the vast majority in Australia contain nicotine, despite it being banned as an ingredient. 

The only way someone can legally purchase a nicotine-containing e-cigarette is if it is prescribed by a doctor to support quitting smoking.

It is illegal in Australia for people under the age of 18 to buy any e-cigarette or

vaping devices and products and it is against the law for anyone to promote, market or sell e-cigarettes to people under the age of 18.

Professor Spurrier encourages families to be supportive, rather than angry, if they find out their child is vaping, because their child will need help to give up, often with the support of a doctor or healthcare professional.

A further initiative in development will provide training for school staff to respond to student vaping. This initiative will be in collaboration with SA Health, Cancer Council SA and the Commissioner for Children and Young People.

The state government says in 2023, nicotine levels detected in wastewater are at their highest level since 2017.

In contrast, wastewater shows tobacco use has decreased substantially. 

It says such data highlights that nicotine use is continuing at a consistent level despite decreases in tobacco use.

Health Minister Chris Picton says the uptake of vaping among children and young people is deeply concerning.

“We welcome the Federal Government’s recent announcement that it is planning to ban single-use disposable vapes and tighten border controls on these products. 

“Working together across government, schools, and the community will give us the best chance at beating the vaping epidemic.”