Nicotine in schools: A growing concern for teens

There has been a drastic rise in the use of nicotine products in secondary schools in the last few years — but why?

Although nicotine has always been an issue in society, nowadays, there are many different forms which may be more dangerous than the average cigarette.

The likes of e-cigarettes entered the market in 2003 and have continued to grow rapidly throughout the years. E-cigarettes were intended to target a specific demographic: smokers who wanted a cheaper alternative or smokers who had the intention of quitting.

In recent years, vapes have targeted a more vulnerable demographic. Since 2016, brands such as Elf Bars and Lost Marys have seemed to make this source of nicotine more appealing to the teen market by adding bright colours to the packaging as well as offering sweet flavours.

With this being presumed “cool” amongst teenagers, they began to bring them to school and use them whilst on the premises.

Alongside vapes, snus has become another popular alternative to smoking cigarettes or vaping. Snus is a nicotine pouch that is placed on the gums in the corner of the mouth. These nicotine pouches are a quick and inconspicuous way of feeling a nicotine buzz.

The Irish Independent published an article last month about the hard-to-spot pouches, warning parents of its use.

Paul Crone, director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, said an increasing number of schools have been sending notices to parents about the pouches.

“It could also potentially explain why some of the students might be irritable due to nicotine, or the lack of nicotine if there is an addiction issue. I’d say at this stage a lot of schools have sent letters out.”

Teachers from schools on the northside of Dublin are aware of the use of the nicotine by their students. Teachers and students spoke to The Liberty on condition of anonymity.

A teacher from a northside school had said “Thankfully, I have never witnessed any of our students vaping.  I know there are students vaping in […] (as in most schools), but I’ve never seen it first-hand, nor picked-up signs of students vaping.”

On the other hand, other educators have “experienced different cases of students vaping in the toilets or even just walking around the corridors. The only protocol there is at the minute to it is giving the student detention or suspension.”

This current issue in schools has also affected students, as there are students as young as 12 years old vaping in school.

Fifth-year student Rachel had a situation where she “walked into the toilets during lunch, and all the stalls were just first years vaping.”

The affordability and accessibility to these products have been of high concern. In December 2023, the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 was introduced. The Act makes it illegal to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 18.

The long-term effects of vaping and using snus are not known. Unfortunately, it is today’s young people who will be providing the statistics about those effects in years to come.