Mr. Staltari asks about the number of e-cigarettes seized in WA public schools from 2021-2025. The Department of Education states they don't centrally collect this data, referring to suspension data provided in a previous question.

AnsweredQoN 383Legislative Assembly
Asked
12 August 2025
Portfolio
Education

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to Question on Notice 60 with regard to e-cigarettes in WA Public Schools, and I ask: (a) How many e-cigarette 'vapes' have been seized in WA public schools in the following years: (i) 2025 to date; (ii) 2024; (iii) 2023; (iv) 2022; and (v) 2021?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
17 September 2025
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
10 days
(a)   (i)-(v)
The Department of Education (Education), the Department of Health and other State and Federal Government Agencies remain committed to mitigating the use of vapes, including in our public schools.
In recent years, Education:
·       updated the WA Schools Anti-vaping Toolkit and associated teaching and learning resources tailored towards students in Years 5–10;
·       developed a self-paced online professional learning course for staff, plus specific resources for senior secondary teachers (Years 11 and 12); and
·       updated the Student Behaviour in Public Schools policy and procedures so a student may lose good standing after use or possession of e-cigarettes or vapes.
Further, in October 2023 the State Government launched the Cancer Council ‘Clear the Air’ vaping prevention campaign, to raise awareness about vaping harms, prevent uptake among those susceptible to vaping, and encourage cessation among people already vaping.
In line with the School Education Act 1999 and correlating regulations, school leaders and staff are expected to ensure the safety and welfare of students. Additionally, the regulations outlines the circumstances when property can be confiscated from students, and by whom.
Whilst Education does not centrally collect data relating to the seizure of e-cigarette 'vapes', the number of suspensions relating to vaping was provided to the Member via Legislative Assembly Question on Notice 60.

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