How to talk to youth about vaping: Information and resources from the district and partners

Vaping remains a serious concern and Surrey Schools is highlighting a number of resources to better inform parents on how to discuss their concerns with their children.

The district has partnered with Fraser Health, the B.C. government and the BC Lung Foundation to share various resources to educate students and parents on the risks of vaping – including the highly addictive nature of nicotine in vaping products – as well as the marketing of flavoured vaping products to youth, the differences between vapes and e-cigarettes, and the unknown potentially negative consequences of vaping due to limited research on its long-term health effects.

These resources stem from a recent commitment by the district and the Surrey Board of Education to make vaping awareness a priority so students understand the damaging effects of vape use and are aware of the supports available to stop vaping. Board Policy #7214 Smoke Free Environment states that the use of tobacco products, vapes, e-cigarettes and marijuana is prohibited at all district buildings, grounds and property.

School District Resources

Last year, Safe Schools worked with Fraser Health to develop a one-page vaping information sheet, available in multiple languages, as well as a parent brochure.

• Information Sheet: Vaping: Talking to Your Child (Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Punjabi, Spanish, Vietnamese)
• Parent Brochure: Vaping: What You Need to Know

The district continues to support work on vaping-related concerns through:

• The Substance Use Liaison program, providing immediate information and one-on-one substance use support for youth caught vaping in schools.
• School-based prevention presentations on the harms of vaping.
• Confiscation of vaping devices: the district has created a partnership with Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP for safe recycling of devices. Since January 2022, more than 2,000 vaping devices have been recycling, weighing more than 62 lbs. in total.
• Increased signage at schools regarding vaping policies, particularly at doors and washrooms.
• Increased monitoring of vaping-related zones of concerns, such as washrooms.
• Exploration of vaping-related monitoring devices for schools.
• Development of parent tools for information regarding vaping.

In the 2019-20 school year, the district collaborated with Fraser Health to conduct a focus group with 51 secondary students from across the district regarding vaping. A summary of the results can be seen in the infographic attached.

B.C. Government Resources

The provincial government has prepared a number of articles on vaping, including:

• What is vaping?
• The A-Z of vaping
• Talking to teens about vaping
• Youth supports to quit or cut back
• Health info for youth
• Health info for adults
• Tools for schools
• Vaping and quitting smoking
• Vaping related illness
• Laws and regulations

Website: Vaping Information in B.C.

BC Lung Foundation Resources

In partnership with Fraser Health, the BC Lung Foundation has developed several Vaping Health Education Toolkits in an effort to raise awareness and increase knowledge about vaping for parents and teachers, as well as to help guide youth toward making informed decisions.

These toolkits include PowerPoint presentations with integrated interactive activities and concise video content on the known health risks of vaping. They are available in English, Chinese, Punjabi, Farsi, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

• Vaping: An Overview – General information about vaping for parents, caregivers and teachers.
• Clearing the Cloud (for Grades 5-7)
• Exploring the Cloud (for Grades 8-10)