Youth vaping is a growing health crisis in schools. Schools need to understand the risks, their duty of care, and how education leaders can respond with health-focused strategies that fulfil their legal duties. 

Over the past few years, a pressing health risk has increasingly shown up in school bathrooms, playgrounds and lockers: vapes. In our initial 2022 article on vaping in schools, “Vaping in Schools”, we highlighted these emerging concerns. Unfortunately, these risks continue to persist in Australian schools.

Marketed in bright packaging, often mislabelled and easily consumed and concealed, vaping products are fast becoming a daily habit for many Australian students. But unlike previous health fads, this one comes with real and urgent consequences, and schools are on the frontline.  

The Generation Vape study, led by the Cancer Council NSW, provides the most comprehensive snapshot to date of youth vaping in Australia. The results are sobering:

• Over 30% of young people aged 14–17 have tried vaping;

• 1 in 7 are current users;

• most began vaping at age 14;

• many are unaware their vapes contain nicotine; and

• one-third of young vapers have already tried and failed to quit.

Schools are grappling with the widespread presence of vaping, which is affecting both student wellbeing and the school environment. The Queensland Department of Education reported nearly 2,000 suspensions or expulsions for vaping in one year alone. Teachers report spending increasing time policing vaping, with incidents often occurring in bathrooms or during class transitions. The rise in primary school incidents is especially alarming, with some students as young as six having been caught with vapes.

These numbers reflect a youth health issue at scale. With the problem only getting worse, they also suggest that punishment alone is not working. 

Despite being promoted and perceived as a “safer” alternative to cigarettes, vaping is far from harmless, especially for adolescents. E-cigarette vapour contains nicotine, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and other toxins that are inhaled deep into the lungs. These substances can cause respiratory inflammation, bronchitis-like symptoms, and long-term lung damage.

The neurological impacts are just as concerning. Adolescent brains are still developing, and nicotine can permanently alter neural pathways, affecting memory, concentration, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Regular nicotine use is also strongly associated with anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Students who vape may appear disengaged, irritable or unable to focus, often without recognising these as withdrawal symptoms.

Importantly, addiction can take hold rapidly. Many vapes sold in Australia are mislabelled and contain far higher doses of nicotine than disclosed. Students may start vaping socially, only to find they need regular use to function normally. Once addicted, they are also more likely to transition to smoking, undermining decades of public health progress. 

Australian and international public health authorities are clear: e-cigarettes are not safe for young people. The World Health Organisation (WHO) urges strict regulation to protect adolescents from lifelong addiction. Australia has taken some of the strongest regulatory action in the world, banning most retail vape sales from July 2024 and limiting therapeutic use to pharmacies.

Public health experts agree that approaches to student vaping that rely solely on punishment are ineffective and potentially harmful. They emphasise that addiction is a health condition, not a behavioural choice, and schools should respond with evidence-based education, clear boundaries, and support for students trying to quit.

Education departments in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria now encourage schools to incorporate vaping education, like Blurred Minds Academy, into their health curriculum and provide support referrals. Guidance increasingly emphasises wellbeing and harm minimisation over automatic suspension or exclusion.

Under Australian law, schools have a non-delegable duty to take reasonable steps to protect students from foreseeable harm. This includes managing health risks arising from vaping and the addiction that may follow. Schools that ignore or minimise vaping may be exposed to claims of negligence, particularly where no education, supervision or support has been offered.

This duty sits alongside obligations under work health and safety laws, child protection legislation, and student wellbeing frameworks. Where schools are aware (or should be aware) that vaping is occurring, or that students are accessing illegal or harmful products, they are expected to act.

Importantly, acting does not mean only imposing consequences. It means having the right policies, training staff, educating students, supporting those who are addicted, and involving families. Schools that do so are better placed to meet their legal obligations and protect their students.

Leading health authorities and education departments recommend a layered response that balances health education, student support, and clear consequences. Key steps include:

• Staff training: Equip teachers, wellbeing staff, and leadership teams to recognise the signs of vaping, respond appropriately, and refer students for help.

• Tiered responses: Start with restorative conversations, education modules, and family engagement. For students showing signs of addiction, develop support plans and refer them to services like Youth Quitline or headspace.

• Avoid unnecessary suspension: Only suspend where there is significant or repeated risk. Reintegration should include a wellbeing or cessation plan.

• Support quitting: Provide information on addiction, withdrawal, and where to get help. Partner with local health providers or promote evidence-based programs.

• Engage families: Share information, host information sessions, and encourage a consistent message between school and home.

This approach not only supports student health, it also protects the school’s legal position, maintains student connection, and reduces long-term harm.

Vaping is not a passing trend, it is a youth health crisis playing out in schools across the country. But it is also an opportunity for education leaders to act strategically, compassionately, and lawfully.

By placing student wellbeing at the centre of their response, schools can reduce harm, uphold their duty of care, and build healthier, more connected school communities.

For expert advice on addressing vaping and other student safety concerns, please contact our Employment & Safety team.