Vaping on School Premises

May, 2023

Greetings CDDHS Families & Caregivers,

In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of students vaping in our school washrooms and premises. We have increased supervision and are working on implementing new guidelines for washroom use that will help to address this concern. The impact of vaping/smoking is not only on the person vaping, but on others that inhale the second-hand fumes that fill the washroom and hallways. This is not safe for our students or our staff, especially those with smoke and scent allergies or sensitivities.

We recognize that some of the vaping activity is the result of addiction and substance abuse; it is with this in mind that staff, student leaders and administration have developed a guideline for how we approach discipline when it comes to this issue in our school. In conjunction with a clear approach to consequences for vaping, we continue to develop and refine both short-term and long-term goals as a school that we hope will help to educate our students, support them in addiction counselling and to create a culture and a community that works to educate and support students in making better choices for their health.

Our new guidelines have been presented to students in a school-wide assembly, with an emphasis on reinforcing our expectations as per our code of conduct. Consequences for vaping have been clearly outlined as follows:

[1] If students are found vaping in the school or on school premises, they will be issued a warning upon first offense; this will also be accompanied by confiscation of any vape products and a phone-call home to notify caregivers. Future infractions will result in suspension.

[2] If students are found vaping on subsequent occasions, they will be suspended for a minimum of 1 day, with progressive discipline measures taken for any future infractions. Upon their return, students will be required to complete an educational module (which we are in the process of developing) and reflection on the topic of vaping and its effects. A referral to our social workers will be made for addictions counselling and support.

[3] For multiple infractions, we will be notifying the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Tobacco Enforcement Officer – a fine will be issued between $300-$500 for vape use and/or distribution of vape products.

Please take the time to discuss the important topic with your student(s) and ask them to refrain from vaping on school property. We have added valuable resource material to our school website to help you navigate these conversations and access cessation supports if needed. Additional resources can be found at https://www.notanexperiment.ca/

We appreciate your support as we work together to provide a safe and caring learning environment for our students.

In partnership with you,

Damon Ealey, Principal Stacey-Ann Dunkley, Vice-Principal Lela McKee, Vice-Principal

REFERENCES (provided as links on our school website):

Talking with Your Teen: Vaping Tip Sheet for Parents (Canada.ca)

Talking with Your Teen: Infographic on Vaping (Canada.ca)

What we Know About the Health Risks of Vaping (WDG Public Health, 2019)

WDG Puplic Health: Vaping 101 Slideshow

Video: Dabs: What are They and What Parents Need to Know

Categories: News