MOFFAT Academy pupils are to take part in a study about vaping in the new year.
Headteacher Tara Woods updated Moffat and District Community Council at their most recent meeting after she raised concerns about vaping amongst young people back in September.
Mrs Woods said: “A health and social sector leadership student from the University of Glasgow is now directly linked up with our school and is going to be carrying out a research project.
“This research project aims to investigate the perception and attitudes of school pupils about vaping products in Dumfries and Galloway, so that the local authority can have a clearer idea about the current situation.
“They would like to carry out interviews or focus groups with students who are 13 to 17 years old, and the study would probably take place in January or February.
“So we’re going to have a nice meaty bit of research there which we’ll be able share and then will be able to shape what we do locally and policy off the back of that.”
Raising the matter initially earlier this year, Mrs Woods said at the time: “The sale or supply of vapes to under 18s is illegal and the high levels of nicotine are very addictive and damaging, they can cause spikes in blood pressure and adrenaline which can lead to cardiac arrest.
“I really feel as a headteacher that more needs to be done generally amongst us as adults to educate and protect our young people about the risks around vaping.”
