This is a presentation aimed at school leaders and governors addressing the key information and questions that schools should consider when considering their response to e-cigarettes. It draws on a briefing from the Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Information Service (ADEPIS). Find more information about ADEPIS http://mentor-adepis.org/

1. E-cigarettes and Nicotine
Containing Products
An ADEPIS presentation for
school leaders and governors

2. Questions for Schools
• Are e-cigarettes an
issue for our pupils?
• Are e-cigarettes
harmful to pupils?
• What issues should
the school’s policies
and guidance cover in
respect of the use of
e-cigarettes by pupils,
and by parents on
school premises?

3. What are e-cigarettes
• Electronic cigarettes are battery-
powered devices designed to deliver
nicotine in a toxin-free vapour.
• While many are designed and
produced to look and feel like
traditional cigarettes, others have
different shapes and designs, and not
all produce vapour.
• Some products are currently being
marketed as e-shisha. There is no
meaningful distinction between e-
shisha products and e-cigarettes,
other than marketing.
Photo from Flickr user Terry Ozon

4. Are e-cigarettes widely used by
pupils?
• Current smokers are more likely to have tried
e-cigarettes than non-smokers
• About 2.6 million adults are currently using e-
cigarettes in Great Britain
• Surveys suggest that the use of e-cigarettes
among pupils is rare
– 1 in 20 among 11-15 year olds who have heard of
e-cigarettes had tried them once or twice
– None were using them regularly
Source: ASH/YouGov Smokefree GB Survey, 2015
Source: ASH, Use of e-cigarettes in Great Britain among adults and young people (2013)
http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_891.pdf

5. Are e-cigarettes harmful?
• There are no
circumstances in which
it would be safer to
smoke than to use an e-
cigarette.
• However, the extent of
nicotine uptake and
safety of e-cigarettes has
not yet been established
and although at present
we have little evidence of
harm, this could emerge
over time.
• E-cigarettes generally
contain nicotine, propylen
glycol (used to create the
artificial vapour), glycerin,
water, and flavourings
• The amount of nicotine
contained in e-cigarettes
can vary
• There is very little quality
control which often
means there is difference
between what is on the
label and what is
delivered to the user

6. NICE guidance on smoking
cessation
• Young people (aged 12-17) should be
offered clear information, advice and
support on how to stop smoking
• Professional judgement must be used to
decide whether or not to offer nicotine
replacement therapies (NRT) to pupils
• E-cigarettes should not be treated as NRT
• E-cigarettes are illegal for under 18s

7. Issues for schools
• From May 2016 e-cigarettes will be regulated
either through the Medicine and Healthcare
products Regulation Agency (MHRA) or through
the European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD)
• At present it is illegal to sell these products to
under 18s.
• DfE guidance says schools and FE colleges would
be entitled to include e-cigarettes to their list of
prohibited items should they choose.
– NB schools must follow the DfEs guidance when
exercising powers to search and confiscate items
from pupils.

8. Further questions
• How will you control e-cigarettes in your
school?
– Does your drug or behaviour policies need to be
updated?
– How would a ban affect adults who are trying to
stop smoking by using e-cigarettes?
• How could e-cigarettes be included in the
PSHE or science curriculum?
• How can pupil’s current knowledge of e-
cigarettes be assessed?

9. Further reading
• ADEPIS, E-cigarettes and Nicotine Containing Products (NCPs)
http://mentor-adepis.org/e-cigarettes-nicotine-containing-products-
ncps/
• ADEPIS, E-cigarettes and NCPs: Resource update http://mentor-
adepis.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/E-cigarettes-and-
NCPs_Resource-Update.pdf
• ASH, Use of e-cigarettes in Great Britain among adults and young
people (2013) http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_891.pdf
• DfE, Screening, searching and confiscation. Advice for
headteachers, school staff and governing bodies, July 2013
http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/s/screening%20search
ing%20and%20confiscation%20advice.pdf
• NICE, Smoking cessation services guidance
http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11925/39596/39596.pdf

10. About ADEPIS
• The Alcohol and Drug Education and
Prevention Information Service (ADEPIS) is a
project run by Mentor, the drug and alcohol
the drug and alcohol prevention charity and is
funded by Public Health England, Home
Office, and Department for Education.
• Further resources are available from
http://mentor-adepis.org