Schools should be legally required to warn parents if their children are caught vaping, says MP

Parents should be told by schools if their child is caught vaping, an MP says. 

A recent survey shows nine in ten mums and dads want to be informed if their young ones partake in using the devices, which teachers say are growing in popularity. 

Currently, there is no legal requirement for schools to ban vapes or to notify parents if their child is caught, as there is for tobacco and drugs. 

The We Vape poll also found three quarters think shopkeepers who repeatedly sell vapes to children should go to jail. 

Tory MP Craig Whittaker told the Sun: ‘Schools should be telling parents if their child is caught vaping.

Tory MP Craig Whittaker believes parents should be told by schools if their child is caught vaping 

‘Government are cracking down on youth vaping and parents should be told about children so they can take responsibility, too.’

Mark Oates, of We Vape, added: ‘It reveals a public appetite for schools to engage with parents. Teachers and parents working together is an obvious way to stop young people from vaping.’

Meanwhile, NASUWT research has revealed more than half of educators have seen pupils leave class to vape.

The union’s Darren Northcott said: ‘Our experience is that schools generally inform parents of significant episodes of inappropriate behaviour. The biggest issue is that under-18s are able to get hold of vapes so readily.’

Younger generations in Scotland could be banned from ever buying cigarettes or vapes as part of a new crackdown.

MSPs will follow the UK Government and consider raising the age for selling tobacco – but also plan to do the same for vapes.