SECONDARY school principals in Donegal are to be asked to have their say in a discussion on the growing trend of ‘vaping’ among young people in the county.
The practice is now widespread among teenagers all over the country and at a meeting in Donegal this week, it was claimed that more and more young people here are becoming addicted to e-cigarettes and vaping products.
The issue was highlighted at this week’s monthly meeting of the Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB).
Board chairman Cllr Michael McBride said the body had to address a problem that is causing much concern.
“It seems to be a massive problem in our schools,” he said.
“We would be wrong to sit on our hands and do nothing about it.”
Meanwhile board member Joanne Donaghy said young people are now in a situation that if they aren’t vaping, they aren’t cool.
Cllr. McBride wants the issue to be put on the agenda for next month’s meeting of Donegal ETB.
In the meantime, he suggested that principals at the ETB’s secondary schools be contacted and asked for their feedback.
“We need to contact all our school principals,” he said.
“Everyone needs to be included on this. Let us get feedback from the principals, collate that and then we can write to the minister to highlight the problems.”
Ms Donaghy, who is the Staff Nominee on Donegal ETB, said some young people become addicted to vaping products within weeks of starting to vape.
She agreed that a discussion needs to take place at board level, but insisted that young people need help too in terms of awareness and support.
“If you are not vaping now, it’s not cool at all,” she said.
Vaping, especially among young people, is an issue that has prompted much discussion and debate in recent years.
It was recently reported that legislation to ban the sale of vapes to under 18s in Ireland is expected to be passed in mid-July.
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