West Lothian Council is to update its policies on smoking in schools in the wake of controversies over vaping in local secondary schools.
The update reinforces existing council policies that e-cigarettes and vaping materials are banned for sale to under 18’s and should not be in schools.
But also provides a new direction away from sanction and towards providing support where it is needed.
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The Council’s Education Executive agreed unanimously to update the policies first introduced in 2017. The Substance Misuse in Schools policy covers tobacco, alcohol and drugs as well as issues including drug dealing, and advice on police involvement in incidents.
The updated policy also provides links to outside and Third Sector agencies who provide support and help for addictions.
In a paper presented to the Tuesday morning’s meeting Education officer Lisa Moore said: “The Substance Misuse in Schools: Policy and Operational Procedures document has been refreshed and updated following the approval of the current policy in October 2017 to reflect Scottish Government Strategy Documents, Health and Well-being Curriculum content and WLC Positive Relationships Policy and Procedures.”
It adds: “The national context has been updated to reflect recent Scottish Government strategy documents (Rights, Respect, Recovery 2018)”
Under the section Incidents and Procedures it highlights a change of tone. “References to “sanctions” have been removed and replaced with “supports” and next steps in line with WLC Positive Relationships Policy and Procedures. Outdated terminology has been replaced and some procedures reworded to add clarity.”
On vaping the policy remains the same. It states : "Ensure that it is only tobacco that is being used. If another substance is suspected then refer to the guidelines provided in section 2.5.
- Confiscate tobacco products being used on school premises.
- The legal age for the purchase of e-cigarette and vaporiser products is 18, therefore these should be confiscated if used in school.
- Consider and agree appropriate action including support and next steps
- Where e-cigarettes/vaporisers are involved refer to the Ash Scotland website.
- If suspected of being illicit or counterfeit product, contact trading standards
The council’s Education policy Development and Scrutiny Panel heard in December that schools toilets in Armadale Academy were closed because of pupils using them for vaping.
The closures were denied by senior education officers but a representative of the Joint Forum of Community councils asserted that the “anecdotal evidence" Councillor Moira McKee-Shemilt had heard was true.
Leona Mullarky representing the Joint Forum of Community Councils, disputed Head of Secondary Education Siobhan McGarty’s assertion that school toilets were not closed.
Mrs McGarty told the December meeting: "We are not closing toilets through the school day, we can't do that. But we are trying to manage that situation and youngsters do veer towards those types of areas, and outwith the school.
“We are working very closely with our young people in terms of supporting them, in terms of understanding the nature of what they're doing and the dangers associated with vaping products.
Mrs Mullarky said: “Some schools are indeed shutting toilets because of vaping.
“Pupils are being told that they don't have the staff to find out who the vapers are, so toilets are therefore being closed.”
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