Many schools are now fitting alarms in their toilets due to the increasing number of students who are vaping.

E-cigarette use has surged in popularity among teenagers in recent years, with one survey finding that one third of teenagers aged between 13 and 16 vape but never smoke.

Britain’s NHS describes vapes as a “very popular” method to quit smoking but the HSE cautions that the “best thing you can do for your health is not to smoke or vape”. 

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast,  National Association of Principals and Deputies (NAPD) Director Paul Crowe described vaping as a “huge issue” in schools. 

“One of the biggest challenges, the first one [teachers] mention is vaping among students,” he said. 

“[There is] vaping among students within the school building and school toilets. 

“I spoke to a number of principals who have recently had to enact a critical incident policy in relation to a reaction that a student had to something that was in the vape.”

A disposable vape is seen on the ground. Picture by: Gerard Ferry / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Crowe said some students have had such bad reactions to vaping that they had to be taken to hospital by ambulance.

Despite this, he said many parents are unaware of the risks associated with vapes. 

“I would say there’s a certain level of awareness but there’s probably not an awareness of the extent of the danger which they are in,” he said.

“I spoke to one parent recently who said, ‘At least they’re not smoking.’ 

“That, unfortunately, is not the attitude that we want to promote. 

“We need to raise awareness of the dangers of vaping.” 

Mr Crowe said there needs to be “whole community response” and said an awareness campaign would be “very welcome”. 

“The smoke alarms are one aspect of that - along with trying to educate students,” he said. 

“But they need to be getting that message everywhere; from their parents, from clubs, from their hobbies, from relatives and from society in general.” 

Last month, the State announced a ban on the sale of vapes to those under the age of 18. 

Main image: A teen vaping on the street. Image: Steven Gill / Alamy