(Canadian Press)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Student Health

Red Deer Public Schools sees unanimous support for toughening vaping laws

Nov 26, 2019 | 1:14 PM

The Board of Trustees for Red Deer Public Schools is receiving the support of their peers when it comes to seeking tougher vaping laws to protect youth.

At the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Fall Annual General Meeting last week, trustees put forward a motion urging all levels of government to align their restrictions on the consumption, promotion, marketing and sale of vaping products, with those on tobacco products.

The motion was unanimously supported by the other school boards in the province and ASBA will now be advocating to the province for tougher vaping laws.

“There have been real challenges with bylaws and legislation from the municipal, provincial and federal level in keeping up and protecting students,” said Nicole Buchanan, Board Chair for Red Deer Public Schools. “We are encouraged by the unanimous support we received from all other school boards in the province as we confidently move forward in protecting the health and well-being of our students.”

Previously, tobacco users were said to be a “fringe” group of students, but now, District officials are claiming to seeing students from all grade levels and profiles vaping, including athletes, artistic and academic students.

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

16h ago

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

21h ago

eyes up

Air Spray training around Red Deer Regional Airport

22h ago

Red Deer Public says Alberta schools saw a significant increase last year in the number of students using vaping products, and that it ranked as the number one reason for student suspensions. Statistics indicate in 2017, nearly 36,000 junior and senior high school students used vaping devices in the province, and since then, those numbers have grown.

“We are concerned about the health of our students,” the district says in a release. “Last spring, all high schools in Red Deer united with the City of Red Deer Bylaw Enforcement to curb vape use, and its negative side effects, on students.”

Students caught vaping at any Red Deer high school will be issued a one-day suspension for a first offense, three-day suspension for a second offense and five-day suspension for a third offense.

Under the City of Red Deer Bylaw, anyone caught vaping in a public place could face a $200 fine for a first offense, $500 fine for a second offense and up to $2500 fine for a third offense.

District officials say coordinated efforts have been effective.

“Our schools have seen the positive impact greater awareness and enforcement has had on student vaping. The Board hopes this resolution, and the actions recommended will see future reductions in vaping among youth.”

(With file from Red Deer Public Schools media release)