In what is reportedly a UK first, a school is using a sniffer dog to crack down on kids vaping.
To address the growing issue among minors, the City of Norwich School is bringing in the dog.
It has unveiled a series of other tough measures, including installing vape detectors in toilets, increasing CCTV coverage, carrying out searches of pupils’ pockets and bags, and adding extra staff patrols.
A spokesman said: ‘As with schools across the country, we recognise the impact the use of vapes and other prohibited substances can have on our students, both in terms of their health and the influence it can have on behaviour.’
Claiming the school doesn’t ‘currently have an issue’ with vaping, he added: ‘We are aware this is a rising challenge within society and therefore want to take proactive steps to help counter and deter this.
‘We are committed to providing an environment for our staff and students that is safe and supportive and, as such, the proactive measures we have planned will help educate students on the risks of vaping and other banned substances.’
This week, Rishi Sunak declared that disposable vaporizers will be outlawed in the UK to prevent kids from being “hooked for life” and to improve their health.
According to statistics, the number of kids smoking e-cigarettes has tripled in the last three years, and 9 per cent of kids between the ages of 11 and 15 are already hooked.
Disposable gadgets, which come in a wide variety of vibrant hues and tastes, have significantly contributed to the rise.
Parents have received letters from the City of Norwich School, which has 1,700 students and was given a “good” rating in its most recent Ofsted inspection, informing them of the measures.
Next month, the sniffer dog will be brought in for a single day to stress how important it is to fight vapes. The other measures are going to be permanent.
Other schools will probably take the same route.
Kids who are afraid of dogs are advised to talk to the staff, even though the school already has a therapy dog that is maintained on campus to help with student welfare.
The school spokesman added: ‘To complement this educational drive, we have taken steps to deter the use of unsafe and prohibited items.
‘In February, a passive deterrence dog will be guided around the school site for a day, so that students can understand the role of deterrence and how this would work.
‘The organisation that is supporting this has significant experience delivering this service in schools.
‘Taken together, we believe these precautionary measures will help students to remain safe while at school and when out in the community.’
The government’s legislation against vaping among children will use existing powers under the Environmental Protection Act and is expected to come in early next year.
We used to fear the teachers when I was at school, and they weren’t averse to giving you a clip around the head if you did something wrong. Kids are in control today, not adults or teachers.
When I was 11 years old, I didn’t know anybody who smoked. We were too busy running around, playing, and having a good childhood. Plus, our parents would have skinned us alive.
Spy cameras are watching your every move. Random searches of a person, sniffer dogs. It’s a daytime child prison, not a school, and it’s very creepy stuff.
The government is to blame for allowing all these vape shops to open on every street. Our government don’t solve problems; it creates them.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 