UAE: Vaping crisis among students sparks urgent calls for stricter measures
Vaping is becoming a major issue of concern among students in the UAE and it has drawn the attention of schools, communities, and medical professionals who are now calling on the government, parents, and other institutions to take action, especially with adolescents.
There has been a lot of movement towards stricter policies having to do with GEMS Education, the UAE's biggest school network, starting on Monday with the launch of their zero tolerance campaign. This initiative includes random bag checks and anti-vaping educational lessons within the curriculum.
With these measures, schools are demonstrating renewed dedication towards providing safe and supportive environments which do not accommodate the abuse of substances.
A study conducted by the World Health Organization in 2023 showcased some alarming data and one of the most concerning was that out of every five teenagers that try vaping, one will continue to do so for a prolonged period of time. This statistic is alarming and highlights the issue further.
These shifts in the use of e-cigarettes has resulted in more stringent policies from the UAE governing authority which aims to limit the escalation of this concern.
A worldwide problem
Dr. Funke Baffour-Awuah, GEMS's Corporate head of Wellbeing, elaborated 'This is a problem in schools globally, it affects the health of the children and adults, and it’s reached epidemic proportions. At GEMS we want to be proactive, and we are very clear on our position on vaping, which is zero tolerance. We want students to understand why it is harmful for them to vape.’
In carrying out these objectives, GEMS Education has placed parental engagement at the center of the initiative. There is a whole school approach to embed the anti-vaping initiative into the culture of the school. This includes teaching about vaping during the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) component of the curriculum, where children between 5-15 years are educated about vapes and other harmful substances.
'Considering the global reach of vaping and the sensitivity that surrounds it, measures such as bag checks will be put in place on a proactive random basis. These will be done privately by same gender staff in cubicles with the focus being on looking inside the bags,’ the staff said.
Multi-faceted approach
According to specialists, the use of education, regulatory laws, public awareness campaigns, and penal action are a useful combination in protecting the youth from the adverse effects of vaping.
Mohammedali Kottakkulam, Principal of The Central School Dubai, said, “For us, our students are strictly not allowed to vape or possess a vape with no ambiguity attached to it. This is a Level 3 misconduct. As a response, we conduct awareness sessions during assemblies alongside class-specific counseling and well-being sessions.”
Many schools in the UAE have also taken immediate and stringent disciplinary measures against indiscipline involving vapes, and even possession, to check the growing trend among students.
Kottakkulam added, “A parental undertaking is obtained after the student has been internally suspended with study assignments given by the Behaviour Management Committee. Alongside the self-reflective component, the school counselor assists in behavioral change. If the problems continue, those cases are handed to the KHDA,” added Kottakkulam.
Updating school policies
Ensure that updates to policies made by the institutions are in line with the procedures set by the KHDA and the UAE government for student's health and well-being.
"In such cases, devices are taken away, parents are called in and the student is required to attend counseling sessions. For first time offenders, a written warning is issued to gradual suspension with more strict measures for repeat offenders. In all these, we seek to put in education measures, deterrent options, and ensure safety and a vape-free environment,” said Dr S. Reshma, Principal , school director, Gulf Indian High School Dubai and Executive director, Regent Middle East, Regent Education.
Health risks of vaping
At this point in time, Dr. Sherif Mohamed Mosaad Kamel, consultant pediatrician and neonatologist at Zulekha Hospital Dubai, explained that the “Vaping also has been shown to cause damage to the lungs, heart, and increases the chances of developing respiratory illnesses.” vapes also put the users at risk to lung ailments, heart diseases and respiratory issues.
Over 2.5 million pupils in middle and high school claimed to use vapes, becoming a disturbing trend, as reported by the International Data on Vaping Among Children in the US (CDC,2024) researched in 2023.
Flavored vapes are the most popular, making up 85% of the vapes used by students, which greatly increases the chances of appealing to younger audiences. The issue becomes dire now as 20.5% of kids aged 11-17 claim to have tried vapes, an increase from 13.9% in 2020.
The affordability and variety of flavors available have contributed to the immense rise in popularity of disposable vapes. Dr. Shahid Gauhar, the specialist pediatrician at Prime Hospital, mentioned, 'Most teenagers believe vaping is less harmful as compared to traditional smoking, but scientific research indicates it carries serious health risks such as nicotine dependency, pulmonary injury, and even cognitive deficits.'
However, while there might be a strict enforcement of laws, youth vaping is still troublesome, especially through unregulated and online means.
Vaping is a serious health concern for students – experts believe schools should adopt supportive, non-punitive methods for students willing to stop. “Schools should create anonymous help groups, foster staff members to proactively offer assistance when they notice signs of vaping, and aid students who wish to seek assistance," Dr. Gauhar commented.
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