Educators’ perceptions of e-cigarettes in Australian secondary schools

INTRODUCTION: Secondary schools are a setting in which e-cigarette use among students has increased significantly, resulting in an urgent need for educators to develop and implement strategies to curb youth vaping. Research assessing school-based vaping prevention efforts is limited and largely confined to the US. This study assessed Australian secondary school staff members’ experiences with e-cigarettes and explored (i) the presence of e-cigarette policies and educational programs, (ii) barriers to policy development and implementation, and (iii) desired support. METHODS: Public, Catholic, and Independent secondary schools across Australia were sent an invitation to participate in this study, which involved completion of an online survey. A total of 218 school staff members (55% women) participated. Respondents included school principals, teachers, and other staff members. Data collection occurred May to September 2022. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. RESULTS: Nearly half (46%) of all school staff members surveyed reported finding a student with an e-cigarette on campus at least monthly, and one-third (36%) of principals reported suspending or expelling students at least monthly for e-cigarette possession or use. The vast majority of those surveyed agreed that e-cigarette use is increasingly becoming a problem in secondary schools (93%) and reported being concerned about e-cigarette use by students (94%). Only half (51%) reported that their school had an e-cigarette policy in place. The discreet appearance of e-cigarettes (83%) and difficulties pinpointing from where the vapor/scent is coming (73%) were the most frequently reported barriers to policy enforcement. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that e-cigarettes present a threat to secondary school environments. There is an urgent need to develop, implement, and enforce both school- and government-level e-cigarette policies to prevent and reduce youth vaping in Australian secondary schools.