The Dangers of Vaping in South African Schools

A large UCT study of 25,000 SA learners found 1 in 6 currently vape; many show signs of nicotine addiction (e.g., vaping soon after waking, daily use). Vaping aerosol is not harmless—it can deliver nicotine (highly addictive) and other harmful substances. South Africa is moving to tighten laws, including bans on sales to minors and advertising, but schools and families should act now: set clear rules, educate, support quitting, and use the helplines listed below.

What is “vaping” and why does it appeal to teens?

Vapes (e-cigarettes/ENDS) heat a liquid into an aerosol that the user inhales. Many devices are small, sweet-flavoured and easy to hide (USB-style sticks, pens, disposables). Global and local guidance warns the aerosol can contain nicotine, ultrafine particles, volatile organic compounds and other toxicants—not just “water vapour.”

The South African picture (2024–2025): what the data shows

• Prevalence: A UCT-led study (published in eClinicalMedicine) across 52 high schools found 16.8% of learners vaped in the past 30 days; among Grade 12s, prevalence reached ~29.5% (some schools as high as 46%). 

• Addiction signals: Among vapers, 38% vaped daily; 47% vaped within the first hour of waking—consistent with dependence. Authors estimate up to 61% of vapers could be seriously addicted. 

• Not just nicotine-free: About 88% reported nicotine-containing vapes. CANSA similarly warns of youth targeting and addiction concerns. 

Health risks: what learners, families and schools should understand

• Nicotine & the brain: Nicotine can harm the developing teen brain (attention, learning, mood, impulse control). It is highly addictive and can prime the brain for future substance dependence. 

• Aerosol hazards: Vaping aerosol can include harmful and potentially harmful substances and is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular effects; flavoured liquids (e.g., cherry/cinnamon/vanilla) can damage lung lining and blood vessels. There is no safe tobacco product for youth. 

• Gateway risk: Youth who vape are more likely to start smoking later; precautionary policies are recommended by public-health bodies. (Evidence is observational but consistent across many studies.) 

SA law & policy: where things stand (Sept 2025)

• New Bill progressing: Parliament continues public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, which would ban sales to minors, restrict advertising/promotion/sponsorship, plain-packproducts, and ban indoor public use (and certain outdoor areas), covering vapes and nicotine-free devices. 

• Pharmacy sales: The South African Pharmacy Council has prohibited e-cigarette sales in pharmacies via updated Good Pharmacy Practice rules. 

• Today’s gap: Until the Bill is enacted, vapes (with and without nicotine) are less strictly regulated than cigarettes—one reason youth access remains easy (especially online/retailers not verifying age). 

Bottom line for schools: Regardless of law timing, include vapes explicitly in your code of conduct and campus policy now.

Myths vs facts (quick debunk)

• “It’s just flavoured water.” False: aerosol can contain nicotine and other toxicants. 

• “Nicotine-free vapes are safe.” False: some “0% nicotine” products still contain nicotine; flavour chemicals can irritate and harm lungs. 

• “Vaping is for quitting smoking.” For adult smokers, some countries allow regulated vapes for harm reduction. Youth and non-smokers should not vape—risks outweigh any benefit. 

Spotting vaping at school (without turning the classroom into a detective show)

• Signs: sweet/fruit odours; frequent bathroom trips; dry cough/thirst; irritability between classes; USB-like or pen-shaped devices, pods, chargers.

• Places: bathrooms, behind sports stands, far corners of fields, bus bays.

• What helps: staff awareness images at briefings; anonymous reporting; locker/bag policy aligned with privacy and dignity.

(Use education + support. Punishment alone rarely changes addiction-driven behaviour.) 

What schools can do this term (policy to practice)

1. Update your policy: Name ENDS/vapes, e-liquids, disposables, chargers; specify no-use/no-possession on campus/transport/events; add progressive consequences + support.

2. Educate widely: 15-minute assemblies; parent webinars; tutor-group micro-lessons using WHO/CDC graphics. 

3. Make help visible: Posters with Quitline 011 720 3145 and WhatsApp 072 766 4812 (National Council Against Smoking). Add CANSA eKick Butt link to your portal. 

4. Confiscation & care: Safe storage; parent contact; brief screening (how often? first-hour use? attempts to stop?); referral to counsellor/GP.

5. Environment: Vape-free bathrooms (monitoring schedules), duty rosters, and well-being alternatives(movement/arts spaces during breaks).

How parents can respond (scripts + steps)

Start the conversation (no lectures):

• “I’m seeing vapes at schools on the news. What are your classmates saying?”

• “What do you enjoy online? Which creators make vaping look cool—and why do you think they do that?”

• “If a friend offered you a vape, what could you say?” (Practise lines: “Not my thing—I’ve got training,” “I’m taking a break from nicotine.”)

Set clear, shared rules:

• No vaping; private accounts; no sharing devices; screenshots last forever; respect school rules.

If your child is already vaping:

• Stay calm; ask when/why they vape (stress? fitting in?).

• Agree on a quit plan: remove access; set a quit date; share helplines (below); book a GP if dependence is strong (morning use, cravings).

• Check-ins twice a week for 3–4 weeks; celebrate progress; troubleshoot slips.

Help for learners who want to stop (and for teachers guiding them)

• Helplines (free): National Quitline 011 720 3145; WhatsApp 072 766 4812 (daily support messages). (Backed by WHO, run by the National Council Against Smoking.) 

• Online programme: CANSA eKick Butt (email-based quitting support). 

• With your clinician: Ask about behavioural support and (where appropriate) cessation medicines; align with school counsellor for check-ins. (Use clinical judgment; some medicines are prescription-only.) 

One-page school action checklist

•  Policy updated to include vapes/ENDS

•  Staff briefing slides (10 mins) + visuals of devices

•  Learner micro-lesson (15 mins) using WHO/CDC facts

•  Parent webinar + handout (myths, the law, how to help)

•  Helplines posted everywhere (classrooms, bathrooms, portal)

•  Confiscation + support workflow agreed (counsellor referral)

•  Appointed wellbeing lead to track incidents & support plans

Frequently asked questions

Is vaping “safer than smoking”?
For adult smokers switching completely, some health agencies consider regulated vapes a harm-reduction tool. But for children, teens and non-smokers, do not vape—nicotine addiction and aerosol harms outweigh any benefit. 

What’s actually in the aerosol?
Often nicotine plus ultrafine particles, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds. Ingredients vary by brand; regulation is tightening to require clearer labelling. 

Is it legal to sell vapes to minors in SA?
The proposed Bill explicitly bans sales to minors, restricts marketing and use in public spaces, and introduces plain packaging/health warnings. While passage is underway, schools should act under their codes of conduct. 

Our school caught a learner with a vape—now what?
Follow your policy: confiscate, document, notify parents, and assess dependence (first-hour use/daily use). Offer cessation support and a restorative plan; rely on escalating consequences for repeat violations.

Do “nicotine-free” vapes make it okay?
No. Labels can be inaccurate; and some flavours themselves can harm lungs.