Campaign in B.C. schools aims to educate students on risks of vaping

A new campaign in B.C. schools aims to educate students about the adverse effects of vaping.

The Ministry of Health says posters, signage, and pamphlets will be distributed to schools later this monthwith information about the risks associated withvaping and resources for those who want to quit.

Recent Health Canada data shows that the number of Canadian teenagers regularly using e-cigarettes ranks among the highest in the world.

Colette Lees, a substance use liaison in the Surrey school district, says thecampaign is "absolutely necessary."

"I haven't seen things getting any better in the last couple of years," Lees said Wednesdayon CBC's The Early Edition.

Lees says she has noticedstudents as young as Grade 5using vapes. She says she has also seenstudentssaythey no longer have control over vaping and askfor resources to help them quit.

"I think oftentimes they start with the belief that if ... they want to quit that it will be easy to do that, and unfortunately that's not what happens," said Lees.

Vaping productscontain chemicals that can cause lung damage, according to the health ministry. Theycan also contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can alter brain development and reduce impulse control, among other side effects.

Easy access and marketing tactics

Advocates have calledon the federal government to ban or restrict flavoured vapes,saying they are helping drive the rise invape useamong teens.

Lees says although it is illegal to sell or provide vaping products to anyone under the age of 18, many kids are able to purchase vapes from certain shops or from older students or adults.

And with sweet flavours and colourful packaging some with cartoon character designson them Lees says some vapesare marketed toward youth.

"[There is] just this notion that vaping is some sort of health alternative to smoking, that it's healthier," said Lees."It smells like strawberries so it can't be that bad for you."

Lees recommendsparents have an open conversation with their children about vaping.