The KwaZulu-Natal Parents Association has raised concern about the alarming rise of vaping among young people, describing it as a growing problem that is challenging schools and parents alike.

Vee Gani, chairperson of the Parents Association was commenting after a recent UCT study found that the prevalence of South African high school learners vaping increased sharply by grade, reaching 29.5% among matriculants and in some schools as high as 46%

Gani said: “Vaping has become a trend right now, a symbol of status. People, especially learners, are doing it more as a show. It is become fashionable, and there’s significant peer pressure involved."

"Principals often complain to me about having to confiscate vapes from learners, as these devices are easy to hide and are being brought into schools regularly," Gani said.

Gani there was a lack of awareness among parents about vaping.

“Many do not even know what vaping is or its harmful effects. It’s catching on very fast. Parents need to conscientize themselves about vaping and its dangers. Without understanding the risks, they cannot effectively guide or prevent their children from engaging in it.”

He added that vaping could be a gateway for some to try other substances.

The UCT study titled, “Electronic cigarette usage amongst high school students in South Africa: a mixed methods approach” used a self-administered brief electronic survey provided to a sample of high school students from January to October 2023 in South Africa.

It included questions on vaping usage, initiation, reasons for continuation and indicators of physical and psychological dependence were asked.

At least 25 149 students from 52 South African schools completed the survey.

“The highest frequency of vaping reported by any school grades in our sample were 45.5% for a grade 11 year, and 46.6% for a grade 12 year.

“Adolescents predominantly start vaping out of curiosity, or because of social influences, but continue vaping as a coping strategy for anxiety/ depression/stress, to relax or because they are addicted. Our results also showed that a considerable proportion of students (46%) do not identify addiction as a reason why they continue to vape, despite that they exhibit behaviour of someone who is ‘highly addicted’,” the study stated.

Pulmonologist, professor Richard van Zyl-Smit said the findings showed the highly addictive nature of vaping products.

“This rate of vaping is of particular concern among adolescents due to the highly addictive nature of nicotine. Nicotine use during adolescence can harm the developing brain, with potential long-term effects on learning, memory and attention. Alarmingly, it also increases the risk of progression to conventional cigarette smoking,” he said.

“This data equips us with the evidence needed to shape policies that regulate access, marketing and advertising of vaping products to adolescents. Prevention must start as early as junior school.”

Gani acknowledged the efforts of schools in confiscating vapes and informing parents but noted the limited impact of such measures.

“It is not just high schools; we are even seeing incidents in primary schools. The ages of those involved are getting lower and lower, which is deeply concerning,” Gani warned.

Professor Labby Ramrathan from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Education said vaping, while concerning, was part of a broader pattern of youth trends that tend to fade over time.

“Vaping has now been established as a youth trend, and like most trendy behaviours, it is difficult to curb. No policy intervention will matter significantly."

"Over the decades, there have been many trendy behaviours, and they fade out over time. Vaping will go through this phase and eventually phase out.”

However Ramrathan emphasised the importance of education as a primary intervention.

“The only effective measure is education about its potential harm, supported by regulations, such as restricting where one can vape. Schools must also take steps to prevent vaping on their campuses.”

He further suggested that the anti-vaping message should be integrated into the school curriculum.

THE MERCURY

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Alarming rise of vaping among teens