Publications
Partners
With the festive and school holidays in full swing, this is unfortunately an opportune time for youngsters to experiment with various substances, including vaping.
The Vapour Products Association of SA (VPASA) has stressed the importance of parents and retailers working together to prevent the youth from experimenting with vaping.
The association has recommended open conversations between parents and their children about the addictive nature of nicotine vaping, encouraging them to keep their guard up to prevent the youngsters from experimenting with vaping products.
The VPASA urged parents to be extra vigilant and pay close attention to possible changes in their children’s behaviour due to nicotine addiction.
READ: Vaping industry can’t remain unregulated, say experts
Asanda Gcoyi, CEO of VPASA, said some of the signs that a child may be vaping include an unfamiliar scent in the house, their bedroom, or on the child.
These scents, she said, range from chocolate to a fruity scent.
Gcoyi said:
Since its launch in 2021, the association's campaign has been adapted to incorporate responsible retailing as well as positive parenting, to prevent youth access to electronic nicotine delivery systems and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems, Gcoyi explained.
She said from a retailer’s perspective, this can be achieved through collaboration by restricting sales to people under 18, monitoring packaging and artwork choices, ensuring accurate product information, and harnessing the involvement of retailers and parents.
READ: Unemployed youngsters getting high on a cough mixture syrup
Gcoyi said:
She said age restrictions must be clearly visible on the packaging and attention must be paid on the artwork choices. This means that the artwork featured on vaping products must not appeal to minors.
Gcoyi added:
