International schools across major global hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha are taking proactive steps to enhance student safety. As a leader in the education sector, GEMS Education is at the forefront of safeguarding initiatives, ensuring a secure and healthy learning environment for its students.
One of the most pressing concerns affecting student welfare today is the rising trend of vaping among teenagers, a habit that poses serious health risks. A 2024 survey conducted by the Truth Initiative, a tobacco-control organisation, revealed that nearly 39 percent of teens in the United States reported frequent e-cigarette use.
In response, GEMS Education has implemented a strict no-vaping policy, designating its campuses as vape-free zones. Similarly, many international schools are adopting zero-tolerance stances and awareness campaigns to protect students from the long-term health risks associated with vaping.
The dangers of vaping in teenagers
While adolescent smoking has long been a concern, vaping presents a new and equally significant threat. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can severely impact brain development, altering areas responsible for learning, mood regulation, attention, and impulse control.
Adding to these concerns, one in six vapes confiscated from students in English schools contained synthetic substances such as spice, which is a dangerous drug linked to severe side effects, including cardiac arrest. Despite being seemingly innocuous, one e-liquid pod can contain as much nicotine as much as a packet of cigarettes, amplifying the addiction potential and health risks.
Although vaping remains a relatively new phenomenon, early research indicates that vaping smokers are exposed to carcinogens like formaldehyde. Acknowledging these dangers, international schools are actively working to curb vaping through preventive measures and awareness campaigns that engage both students and parents.
The impact of vaping on the learning environment
Vaping not only affects student health but also disrupts the learning environment. Educators report that students who vape frequently struggle with concentration due to nicotine cravings, often interrupting lessons to vape with peers.
The 2023 Teen Vaping Survey by Verkada, an American security company, surveyed over 2,600 American students, finding that 51 percent of students vaped to alleviate anxiety and depression. In contrast, studies suggest that vaping can actually exacerbate mental health conditions, particularly when smokers try to quit.
Nicotine addiction can also lead to behavioural issues, making classroom management more challenging. Students deprived of their vape may become agitated or even aggressive, while those using vapes laced with psychoactive substances such as THC may struggle to remain focused during lessons. These factors impact individual academic performance as well as disrupt the learning environment for their peers.
How international schools are taking action
To combat the vaping epidemic, international schools are implementing stringent measures to deter students from engaging in the habit. Institutions like GEMS Education have introduced vaping detectors in high-risk areas such as bathrooms and are conducting random bag checks. Students found in possession of vapes face disciplinary action in accordance with school policies and are required to attend counselling sessions to support their journey toward quitting.
One successful case study comes from the Royal High School of Edinburgh, which installed vaping alarms in its three main bathrooms. This initiative not only deterred students from vaping but also made bathrooms safer and more comfortable spaces for all students.
Beyond enforcement, international schools are also focusing on education as a key preventative measure. Many are introducing age-appropriate, evidence-based curricula that inform students about the dangers of vaping. Schools are also implementing electronic hall pass systems to track students who frequently leave the classroom, helping to identify and address underlying issues.
Although global vaping rates among students are beginning to decline, the challenge remains significant for international schools. By combining student education, strict enforcement policies, and parental involvement, these institutions are creating safer learning environments free from the dangers of vaping.
