Classrooms to become frontline in battle against vaping

Teachers are to warn pupils as young as 11 that vaping is addictive and dangerous to stop them from taking it up.

Schools will be given briefing packs on the dangers of vaping by the government in the coming weeks.

They will warn youngsters of the addictiveness of nicotine and show that their brains may be more sensitive to side effects.

It is part of the plans by the Department of Health (DoH) to stem the rise in the number of school children currently vaping.

Other plans include activities and short films to inform them of the risks. And measures could see schools fitted with vape alarms in loos.

Teachers are to warn pupils as young as 11 that vaping is addictive and dangerous to stop them from taking it up (stock image)

A senior government source told The Times: ‘The number of children vaping is likely to be higher than NHS figures suggest.

‘It’s a serious concern and the vast majority of them probably wouldn’t otherwise be smoking but risk developing a nicotine addiction from vaping alone, so it’s right that we’re taking action.’

It comes a month after the government announced a new ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’ to crack down on underage vape sales.

They will remove illegal products from shelves and at the border.

And undertake more testing of products to ensure compliance with UK law.

Earlier this year, a Mail investigation found youngsters are buying illegal supersize vapes over the counter from local corner shops.

It is illegal to sell vapes containing nicotine to under-18s, but in some parts of the country many shops sell the devices to youngsters for around £5 – with no questions asked.

It is illegal to sell vapes containing nicotine to under-18s, but in some parts of the country many shops sell the devices to youngsters for around £5 (stock image)

Some stores were found to sell devices that are more than five times the legal size, giving young users up to 3,500 puffs instead of the legal limit of between 600 and 800.

Announcing the crackdown in April, a DoH blog read: ‘The new national programme will coordinate the efforts of Trading Standards across the country and gather intelligence on illegal activity.

‘The squad will remove illegal products from shelves and at our borders and undertake more testing of products to ensure compliance with our rules.

‘It will also undertake specific projects such as test purchasing in convenience stores and vape shops.

‘We are also developing a new resource pack for schools on vaping which will be made available by July.’