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Vaping nixed at North Okanaga-Shuswap schools

The school district is adopting a prohibition on the use of vapour products at schools.
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File photo Like tobacco, vaping will be prohibited on school grounds.

Vaping is out at North Okanagan-Shuswap schools.

The school district, to become compliant with recent provincial regulatory changes, will now adopt standards that include prohibitions on the use of vapour products at schools.

“The Ministries of Education and Health, in supporting the health and safety of all youth, note the requirement that vapour product use is not allowed at any time on public and private Kindergarten to Grade 12 school sites in British Columbia,” reads a statement to the school district.

Superintendent Glenn Borthistle told a previous board meeting that the use of vapour products by students is becoming an increasing problem at the senior secondary level. This is enhanced by knowledge that the so-called “vape juice” inhaled from these products may contain the active ingredients found in cigarettes as well as THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Vaping was becoming an increasing problem at North Okanagan-Suswap schools but without a policy it was difficult for administrators across the district to regulate or discipline for the use.

“We take our responsibility for wellness and health of students very seriously. We wanted to move on this as quickly as possible,” said Borthistle to the assmbled crowd at Eagel River Seconday for the board meeting.

A Sicamous parent praised the school district for taking action.

“I’m very pleased to see how seriously the school district is taking this,” the parent told Mike McKay, the official school trustee. “Thank you for doing this.”

The regulations will be amended to include that all school grounds, buildings and vehicles will be non-smoking, non-tobacco and non-vaping, and appropriate signage will be installed to reflect that.