Chief Public Health Officer, May 24, 2024:  Youth vaping continues to be a significant public health concern in PEI. Recent COMPASS study results show 16% of students in grades 7 to 12 have used vaping products with use increasing by grade level. There are health risks associated with nicotine vaping and particular harms for developing youth with the potential to lead to long-term nicotine addiction. Once an individual becomes nicotine-dependent, quitting vaping or tobacco use is difficult.

The CPHO’s approach to tobacco and vaping prevention follows three pillars: Protection, Prevention, and Cessation. The best way to reduce the prevalence and impact of student vaping is to strengthen action under these three pillars. Protection centers on education and enforcement through PEI’s Tobacco and Electronic Smoking Devices Sales and Access TESDSA which are key to reducing youth access to vaping products. These amendments have gone through a period of stakeholder consultation and will be tabled in the next sitting of the legislature. Prevention occurs through provincial public awareness campaigns such as Take a Breath and collaborative school-based education.  Cessation is supported through PEI’s Smoking Cessation Program which includes support for vaping cessation.  The CPHO has a strong partnership with the Department of Education and Early Years, particularly in the prevention pillar, as we share a common goal of reducing the prevalence of youth vaping in PEI.

Vape detectors are a new tool to address youth vaping in school settings. Effectiveness of these tools appears to depend on several factors related to implementation. While vape detectors may play a role in addressing youth vaping in schools, we note that these tools are a ‘downstream’, enforcement-oriented approach targeted towards the vape user. In contrast, the CPHO emphasizes the importance of focusing on ‘upstream’, population-level, preventive efforts centered on the three pillars above. With respect to Resolution 2024-3, the CPHO would be pleased to meet with the PEI Home and School Federation and the Department of Education and Early Years to discuss an integrated approach to reducing the prevalence and impact of youth vaping in school settings.

Department of Education and Early Years, Feb. 28/2025:  The DEEY has conducted extensive research on the possibility of installing vaping detectors in schools. We have spoken to other jurisdictions and a number of school boards throughout the country on this topic. There are varying opinions on this topic and the research on their effectiveness is not conclusive on this topic yet. Most jurisdictions state that there needs to be a cessation program for students in schools, in addition to the detectors, to achieve the desired effect of less vaping. The DEEY has been collaborating with the Department of Health and Wellness – Chief Public Health Office in exploring the implementation of such a youth cessation program. The DEEY continues to consult with the education authorities on this topic.