Educators unite on teachers’ day to combat rise of vaping in schools

On Teachers’ Day, educators, school leaders and health experts united to warn against the growing infiltration of e-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products (HTPs) into Indian schools. At a national conference organised by Mothers Against Vaping (MAV), participants pledged to “Stop the Entry of Novel Nicotine Products in Schools”.

Addressing the gathering, A. Srija, Economic Adviser at the Ministry of Education, stressed the urgent need for stricter enforcement of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019. “Despite the ban, over a third of online sellers continue to flout the law. Teachers need clear school-based protocols to respond when such products are found among students,” she said.

School leaders highlighted the scale of the challenge. “We’re not even seeing the tip of the iceberg,” said Rashmi Malhotra, Headmistress of Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram. “Children are experimenting with so-called herbal vapes, misled by online misinformation and social media glamorisation.”

Principals and counsellors emphasised the importance of early detection, wellness surveys and close parent–school collaboration. “Frequent absenteeism, falling grades and withdrawal from activities can all be warning signs,” noted Pramod Sharma of Genesis Global School, Noida.

Medical experts debunked the notion of “safe alternatives”, warning that vapes and nicotine pouches are addictive and can cause severe lung damage. Dr Fousin M. Latheef of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital cautioned that flavoured, discreet devices are “sophisticated tools to hook children into lifelong addiction”.

Educators proposed embedding anti-vaping education in NCERT textbooks, integrating well-being into school policy, and using platforms such as Mann Ki Baat to amplify awareness. “The aim is not punishment but transformation,” said Arun Mukherjee, Principal (IB), Genesis Global School, stressing the need for positive behavioural learning and supportive parental engagement.

The conference concluded with a collective appeal for stronger enforcement, nationwide awareness campaigns, and school-level protocols to safeguard children from the rising threat of new-age nicotine products.

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